France-UK migration pact faces EU review and public backlash
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The UK’s plan to return migrants to France in exchange for asylum seekers is drawing criticism from humanitarian groups and fueling political tensions at home.
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A general view of small boats and inflatable dinghies in a Border Force compound after being confiscated from migrants attempting to cross the channel to Britain from France, in Dover, England, on February 26, 2025. (AP)
The European Commission announced Friday that it will review the newly signed migration agreement between France and the United Kingdom, which aims to curb unauthorized Channel crossings. The deal, unveiled a day earlier by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, permits Britain to return migrants who cross the Channel illegally back to France.
In return, France will transfer to the UK one asylum seeker, typically someone with family ties or a legitimate protection claim in Britain, for every individual returned under the agreement. The "one in, one out" mechanism has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups and political opponents alike.
Markus Lammert, spokesperson for the European Commission, called the rise in migrant smuggling across the English Channel "alarming" and highlighted the need for "a robust response to deter dangerous journeys at one of the Union’s external borders." However, he made clear that EU support is conditional on the agreement’s compliance with European law.
"Support from the European Union will be limited to solutions that are compatible with the spirit and the letter of EU law," Lammert stated.
Although France negotiated the deal as a sovereign state, any migration arrangement involving an EU member must be approved by Brussels. On that note, a French official familiar with the negotiations said Paris had consulted the Commission before the agreement’s announcement and expects "a swift and positive outcome."
The agreement empowers French border authorities to take “proactive measures” to prevent boats from leaving shallow waters, an approach that will be overseen by French maritime agencies.
UK government faces growing domestic pressure
The deal comes as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to address the rising number of undocumented migrants crossing into Britain. More than 21,000 people have reportedly made the dangerous journey across the Channel so far this year, making migration one of the most contentious issues for the Labour government.
Starmer’s position is further complicated by political pressure from Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party, which has gained traction in recent polls. Farage was quick to denounce the deal, calling it a “humiliation” and questioning the UK’s continued dependence on France for border enforcement.
The agreement has also drawn criticism from humanitarian organizations. Doctors Without Borders issued a statement condemning the policy: "It is absurd to consider sending people back to France when that is the country they decided to leave."
Michael Neuman, head of the group’s migration division, accused the UK of shirking its responsibilities. He said, "Britain must stop outsourcing its border enforcement to France," warning that the policy fails to address the underlying causes of displacement and instead reinforces a cycle of deterrence.
