In a significant move to address illegal migration, the United Kingdom has deported its first migrant to France under the newly implemented ‘one in, one out’ agreement. The pilot scheme, agreed upon by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in July 2025, aims to remove undocumented individuals arriving in small boats to France while accepting an equal number of legitimate asylum seekers with British family ties. The UK’s Home Office confirmed that a man who arrived by small boat in August was removed on a commercial flight, with additional flights scheduled in the coming weeks. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized the importance of this step in securing the UK’s borders and deterring illegal crossings. The policy, however, has faced legal challenges, with London’s High Court temporarily halting the removal of one asylum seeker pending a full legal review. Despite these hurdles, the government remains committed to the scheme, reviewing modern slavery legislation to prevent its misuse. Critics, including campaign group Freedom from Torture, argue that the policy lacks compassion and access to legal support, urging a more humane approach to asylum seekers.