France and UK to exchange migrants under new deal
Photo: French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Getty Images)
On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, a new pilot agreement between the UK and France on the return of migrants who illegally cross the English Channel officially came into force, Sky News reports.
Under the new rules, some of the illegal migrants who crossed the English Channel will be returned to France in exchange for the admission of people with family ties in the UK.
This document was first announced during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the UK last month.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper plans to answer all questions about the details of this agreement on Sky News Breakfast this morning.
This step was a response to the growing number of migrants who try to reach the British coast every year, often risking their lives in a dangerous crossing.
According to the UK Home Office, as of 2025, the number of illegal crossings of the English Channel has increased by almost 50% compared to last year and has already reached more than 25,000 people.
The pilot project provides that any persons detained while attempting to cross illegally by boat can be immediately sent to France, where they will be allocated a place in immigration centers to await the consideration of their cases.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement that this sends a clear message to migrants: "if you come here illegally on a small boat you will face being sent back to France."
At the same time, critics note that in the first stage, the number of people who will be returned will be about 50 per week, which is significantly less than the average weekly flow of 800 people.
For its part, the French government is only willing to take back adults whose asylum applications in the UK have been rejected. Under the terms of the agreement, the same number of people will be able to legally enter the UK via new routes, which will involve thorough document checks and security checks.
The pilot project will run until June 2026.
Meanwhile, discussions continue in the UK: Conservatives have called the agreement a surrender agreement, arguing that it will not change the situation, while the government insists on its importance for controlling migration flows.
At the same time, the public and politicians continue to closely monitor developments that could mark a turning point in the migration policies of both countries.
One of the largest migration tragedies of the year occurred off the coast of Yemen when a boat carrying more than 150 people sank.
