Human rights groups say hundreds of people deported from the UK to France under a pilot “one in, one out” returns agreement have disappeared after being returned, including at least 41 children whose ages are disputed.
The scheme, agreed between the two governments and unveiled in July 2025, allows the UK to send small‑boat asylum seekers back to France in exchange for a limited number of migrants brought to the UK through legal routes. The plan was described as "groundbreaking" by then‑prime minister Keir Starmer at the time of the announcement alongside French president Emmanuel Macron.
NGOs compiling the reports said the missing include men, women and dozens of children whose age has been contested by authorities. The groups have not published a comprehensive, independently verifiable list in the material summarised by news outlets, but say their counts indicate a substantial number of returned people cannot currently be located by aid organisations or representatives.
The claims have highlighted questions about monitoring and protection mechanisms for people sent back under the treaty. Rights organisations have argued that effective follow‑up is vital to ensure returned asylum seekers can access services, legal advice and protection, particularly where age assessments are disputed.
The pilot was presented by both governments as a way to curb irregular Channel crossings while creating legal pathways for some migrants. Critics have warned from the outset that rapid returns carry risks unless accompanied by robust safeguards and independent oversight; the NGOs' reports add new detail to those concerns.
The findings are likely to intensify scrutiny of the agreement as discussions continue around its operation and any potential expansion. Further verification of the NGOs' figures and responses from the UK and French authorities will be necessary to establish the full scale and causes of the disappearances reported to date.