Small boat migrant sent back to France for second time in less than two months

A man who arrived on a small boat has been sent back to France for the second time in less than two months.

The Iranian man came to the UK on a small boat on 6 August and was initially sent back to France on 19 September, before returning to the UK on a small boat on 18 October.

He has been flown back again as part of the latest tranche of 19 returnees under the "one in, one out" agreement with France.

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The Iranian man told The Guardian he had been a victim of modern slavery at the hands of people smugglers in northern France.

As part of the one in, one out agreement, which came into play in August, 94 migrants who came to the UK illegally on small boats have now been removed.

In return, a total of 57 approved asylum seekers have been brought to the UK.

Although the UK has sent back more migrants than it has accepted, the two countries have committed to exchange an equal number of people in each direction.

The end of October saw more migrants having crossed the Channel in 2025 than the entirety of 2024.

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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "Anyone looking to return to the UK after being removed under the UK-France agreement is wasting their time and money.

"This individual was detected by biometrics and detained instantly. His case was expedited, and now he has been removed again.

"My message is clear: if you try to return to the UK you will be sent back. I will do whatever it takes to scale up removals of illegal migrants and secure our borders."

(c) Sky News 2025: Small boat migrant sent back to France for second time in less than two months