UK and France Forge New Migrant Deal Amidst Crisis

On July 10, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer escorted French President Emmanuel Macron after a joint military visit in London. The leaders were discussing a new agreement aimed at curbing the flow of illegal migrants between the United Kingdom and France.

The "one in, one out" deal was a key topic during the UK-France Summit, part of President Macron's state visit. Macron emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address the challenges. The agreement aims to deter people from attempting to cross the English Channel by boat to seek asylum in the UK. Under the plan, a certain number of individuals arriving in the UK would be returned to France each week, with an equivalent number of legitimate asylum seekers being transferred from France to the UK.

This arrangement is intended to alleviate the migrant crisis faced by both nations. The issue has become a significant concern for both leaders, with tens of thousands of asylum claims annually straining resources and contributing to the rise of far-right political movements. The dangerous nature of the crossings, which resulted in numerous fatalities in the previous year, further underscores the urgency of the situation.

Both leaders expressed a shared commitment to combating the criminal gangs facilitating people-smuggling operations. Starmer highlighted the need for new strategies to tackle illegal migration and disrupt the business model of these criminal organizations. Macron also suggested that the UK should address factors that attract migrants. A UK government spokesman responded by stating the government's commitment to enforcing rules and preventing migrants from working in the UK.

During a separate event, Macron commented on the UK's departure from the European Union, suggesting that the UK's handling of migration and financial issues might have been more effective within the EU framework. Critics have raised concerns that the proposed weekly limit of individuals exchanged may be insufficient to make a substantial impact. However, supporters believe the numbers could be adjusted later. The United Nations' migration agency also emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying causes of the migrant crisis.