🔗 Share this article

The first cohort of refugees deported to France as part of Labour's "one in, one out" immigration agreement have voiced serious fears about facing pursuit by human smugglers and potential forcible return to their countries of origin.

Escalating Deportations and Growing Fears

These statements emerge just hours before a bigger contingent of refugees were scheduled for forcible removal to France on a private charter flight to Paris early Thursday, with a second stop planned in Albania. Authorities believe that at least seven individuals will be deported in what represents a major increase in the implementation of the controversial policy.

Evading Authorities and Fingerprint Concerns

In interviews from a homeless shelter in Paris, a group of six of asylum seekers from different war-torn regions stated they would go into hiding if French authorities attempt to relocate them to another European country where their biometric data was previously recorded before entering the UK.

Although the UK isn't part in the EU's biometric system, France maintains access to these records, creating further apprehension among the deported individuals.

"We're terrified about our future," a refugee expressed. "Officials told we could seek protection in France but nobody has explained the necessary procedures. I managed to escape the smugglers in Calais when I went to the UK and I'm afraid they will find me here and cause me harm."

Inadequate Support and Unstable Living Conditions

Based on a government leaflet distributed to refugees in detention in the UK, people would be housed by French authorities during their initial days, with details regarding asylum procedures, stay eligibility, and support options for returning home.

Nevertheless, the reality on the ground appears markedly different. "A second refugee disclosed that someone from their group departed from France for another European destination due to concerns about the fingerprinting system, traveling without even basic necessities like a coat or covering."

Contested Ages and Lack of Basic Care

Among the group, two people assert they are 17 years old, though British officials assessed them as adults. "I am a minor who was deported to France," one stated.

"We've gotten zero help with housing, clothing, schooling or anything else since coming to France," a different refugee added.

Photographic evidence show cramped conditions in the homeless shelter where beds with basic bedding are placed extremely close to each other.

"We don't have adequate support and necessary assistance," another person explained. "There is violence in this area and we're afraid we might be targeted on the street."

Legal Challenges and Separated Relatives

People currently detained facing removal to France say they know of at least seven people scheduled for Thursday's flight, representing a substantial increase from the early stage when just one person per regular flight was being deported.

A refugee explained that his sister who is British citizen resident in the UK had wanted to accommodate him under family reunion rules, but authorities denied the request.

"Officials said no to letting me stay with my sister and sent me to France. My sister attempted to fight the decision but couldn't prevent my deportation. She bought me some clothing and some money for my journey."

Emergency Legal Action and Medical Worries

"Currently we are in a very serious situation. We have nothing and we're very frightened," one asylum seeker pleaded. "We beg for justice."

A different individual recounted how when authorities tried to remove him from detention at 3 am on September 18, physical restraint by officers made him feel he was having trouble breathing.

Legal representatives had prepared an urgent appeal in the High Court to halt one asylum seeker's deportation, but the proceedings were called off after the person's flight reservation was cancelled.

Rights Organizations Express Major Worries

Advocacy groups have voiced alarm about the well-being of those deported to France, including potential victims of trafficking and young people with contested ages.

"We are deeply concerned about the safety of those sent to France," stated a human rights representative. "This arrangement fails to offer protection—it creates fear and suffering among people who have a lawful claim to request protection in the UK. One person we've interviewed is facing threats of removal to the violence he escaped in his country of origin, causing immense distress."

Official Response

A spokesperson from the authorities commented: "Thanks to the new UK-France Treaty, people arriving in the UK on small boats can be detained and returned, with first deportations already carried out."

"Simultaneously, an equivalent number of migrants in France will be eligible to come to the UK through safe and legal routes."

"This strategy will be gradually increased and is designed to address perilous migrant crossings and disrupt the criminal networks that run these operations."