Sixteen Migrants Launch Case Against Labour in High Court Over France Deportation Scheme in the UK

Labour’s signature plan to manage Channel crossings, the so-called ‘one in, one out’ migrant agreement with France, is now under scrutiny from the courts.

Sixteen migrants have launched legal proceedings in the High Court, challenging the policy that came into effect last summer.

The claimants argue that the scheme violates modern slavery laws and an international treaty governing the treatment of human trafficking cases.

If successful, this challenge could halt Labour’s most prominent attempt to tackle the ongoing Channel crisis—a situation that has tested multiple governments over nearly a decade.

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Legal Challenges Could Stall the Policy

The timing of this legal action is significant. Former human rights barrister Sir Keir Starmer, who has championed international treaties, now faces a situation where those very agreements may impede his government’s policy.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has been vocal, asserting that Britain may need to withdraw from certain international conventions to gain full control over Channel crossings.

Labour previously scrapped the controversial Rwanda asylum plan, which had been mired in legal disputes for two years, demonstrating the party’s caution in the face of complex legal frameworks.

Meanwhile, the influx of migrants continues: 322 arrived on Monday alone, pushing Labour’s total to over 66,000 in just 19 months—already surpassing the three-year total under Boris Johnson.

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Government Pushback and Border Reform

Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris dismissed the new legal claims as attempts to obstruct deportations.

“Last-minute modern slavery claims must never be used to prevent the removal of illegal migrants,” he said. “We will defend the government’s right to remove or deport migrants and are reforming laws to prevent such delays.”

Conservative critics have been equally scathing. Chris Philp called the policy a “gimmick,” noting that last year Labour removed just 305 migrants to France while 41,000 arrived illegally via the Channel.

He argued that the current legal challenge highlights the ineffectiveness of the scheme and called for withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the modern slavery treaty to allow swift deportations.

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What the Courts Will Decide

Tomorrow’s hearings are expected to examine whether interim injunctions should be granted in some of the 16 cases. The claims also question whether male migrants sent back to France receive adequate support.

The Channel crisis has now stretched into its ninth year, with more than 193,000 migrants having reached Britain since 2017.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood admitted that the ‘one in, one out’ arrangement has not yet reduced arrivals significantly. According to official figures, 367 migrants have been brought into the UK under the treaty’s reciprocal terms, while only 305 have been returned.

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Labour’s Reforms Still a Work in Progress

Labour’s planned reforms—modern slavery law updates, changes to the asylum appeal process, and tighter limits on using the ECHR’s “right to private and family life”—are still in development. Mahmood cautioned that these changes would take time to have an effect.

The numbers tell a stark story: small boat arrivals rose to 41,472 in 2025 from 36,816 in 2024. When asked whether arrivals would decrease next year, Mahmood admitted she could not guarantee results, highlighting the complex and unpredictable nature of the Channel crisis.

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What’s Next?

The High Court’s upcoming decisions could shape the future of the ‘one in, one out’ policy. If interim injunctions are granted, deportations could be delayed further.

Meanwhile, Labour continues to push forward with border reforms and awaits the impact of its legal changes, even as the Channel crossings show no immediate sign of slowing.

The ongoing tension between legal obligations, human rights treaties, and border control policies means the debate over migration in the UK is far from settled.

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Summary

Labour’s migrant policy with France is being challenged in the High Court by 16 migrants, citing breaches of modern slavery laws and international treaties.

Critics argue the scheme is ineffective, while the government insists legal reforms are needed to regain border control.

With Channel crossings at record levels, the coming court hearings could significantly impact the policy’s implementation.