Hundreds of asylum seekers removed from UK to France have disappeared, say NGOs
Rights groups say those missing after being deported under one in, one out deal include dozens of age-disputed children
TL;DR
- Hundreds of asylum seekers, including 41 age-disputed children, have disappeared after being returned to France under the UK's "one in, one out" pilot scheme.
- The scheme, announced in July 2025, allows for the return of small-boat asylum seekers to France in exchange for others brought legally to the UK.
- NGOs claim that several children were unlawfully returned to France, a claim disputed by the Home Office, which states age disputes are handled to ensure appropriate support.
- Independent Monitoring Boards have reported nearly a hundred children identified as unlawfully detained as adults for the scheme.
- French politicians indicate only 200 of the 1,400 forcibly returned individuals remain in contact with authorities, with hundreds having disappeared across Europe.
- Returnees report disappearing due to hostility from French authorities, pressure to return to unsafe home countries, or fear of being forced to other European nations.
- Médecins Sans Frontières reported asylum seekers returned to France were in poor psychological condition, displaying severe trauma symptoms.
- Concerns have been raised about the securitization of the French border and actions by French police deemed unacceptable by UK standards.