𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Migrants are claiming they cannot be deported to France because they won’t get as much support as they do in the UK.

Paris will not guarantee male asylum seekers the same levels of accommodation, cash and healthcare as London, the High Court has been told.

And Home Office figures revealed a staggering 40% of Channel migrants shortlisted for removal to France have claimed they are victims of modern slavery.

A group of 16 asylum seekers are trying to scupper the one-in-one-out with France by claiming legal changes to make it easier to deport them should be overturned.

They are claiming France only recognises “those who have been trafficked within France, or those trafficked abroad who are French nationals or have been trafficked by French nationals”.

Legal submissions also claim that “male victims of trafficking do not receive adequate support in France, with support said to be focused primarily on women and children.”

The Home Office submitted documents in response outlining the support asylum seekers and refugees receive in France, including “detailed information about psychiatric support available for individuals with mental health problems”.

The migrants are challenging new guidance which removed their right to apply for their case to be reconsidered.

This made it far easier for the Home Office to deport small boat arrivals under the one-in-one-out deal.

Ms Mahmood was forced to change the rules after a surge in modern slavery claims.

And a Government document revealed: “A significant proportion of those facing removal under the Treaty, and the substantial majority of those who take legal action to challenge removal, claim to be victims of trafficking.

“This can relate to alleged exploitation in their country of origin, in transit between their country of origin and the UK, or otherwise.

“Internal data suggest that, as of the end of January 2026, 40% of individuals in the cohort of potential removal to France have been referred to the NRM so any general relief would undermine the policy, in circumstances where the balance of convenience in individual cases does not warrant it.”

In total, 312 migrants have been sent back to France, data suggests. This is slightly higher than the 305 announced by Home Secretary Ms Mahmood at the Home Affairs Select Committee last week.

Officials believe migrants deported to France can pursue their claim for judicial review from France.

And if they are successful, they must be allowed to return.

But Kate Grange, for the Home Office, warned that if judges block more deportations it could damage the public interest.

She said: “The damage to the public interest, in terms of the deterrent effect, would be really significant.

“This is an important policy in achieving that [ending crossings] which is why so many have been refused interim relief.”