Migrants deported to France under Labour’s ‘one-in, one-out’ scheme have escaped their asylum centre and vowed to return to Britain via a small boat.
A number of deportees are understood to have already fled their accommodation in Paris with their sights set on re-entering the UK.
‘Abdul’ and ‘Ali’ complained of a lack of support offered to migrants in France compared to the UK, saying there is homelessness and a lack of housing.
‘Ali’ went on to claim his future had been ‘destroyed because of the UK government‘.
Speaking to Channel 4 News, the pair said: ‘We are just looking for a safe [place]. If we have a chance to go back legally. We would. I will try my best again to go to the UK.
‘I don’t have any choice. If I go [back] to my country, the government will kill me. I think I’ll be (only) safe in the UK.’
The pair added they are now considering another Channel crossing after claiming officials sent them to France without clear reason or support.
It is understood that several deportees in their group have also absconded from the accommodation and not been seen for a number of days, with some likely to attempt to re-enter the UK.
‘Abdul’ and ‘Ali’ (pictured) complained of a lack of support offered to migrants in France compared to the UK, saying there is homelessness and a lack of housing
It is understood that several deportees in their group have also absconded from the accommodation and not been seen for a number of days. Another migrant is pictured speaking to the programme
The total number of small boat migrants to have arrived since Labour came to power has now soared past 60,000 (file image)
To date, 42 people have been returned to France under the ‘One In, One Out’ deal.
Only last week, Home Office sources confirmed an unnamed Iranian who first arrived in the UK on August 6 had come back to Britain on a small boat.
He was initially removed on September 19 but skipped a migrant shelter in Paris, where he had been housed, and headed back to the northern French coast.
There he boarded a dinghy back to the UK, arriving on Saturday – less than a month after he was kicked out.
Border officials identified him as a returning migrant by biometric checks and he is now being held in a British immigration removal centre.
The total number of small boat migrants to have arrived since Labour came to power has now soared past 60,000.
And this year has seen the second-highest annual number of small boat migrants since the crisis began nearly seven years ago, topping the 36,816 witnessed last year.
But he skipped a migrant shelter in Paris, where he had been housed, and headed back to the northern French coast.
Footage obtained by Channel 4 of a French detention centre appeared to show 40 asylum seekers housed in one room in temporary accommodation
Speaking anonymously, ‘Ali’ from East Africa and ‘Abdul’ from Yemen both said they were fleeing warzones and ethnic persecution in their countries.
‘Abdul’ said: ‘When we landed, we felt safe when we saw the British flag. But a few hours later, we were under detention.’
Recalling his similar circumstances, ‘Ali’ said: ‘My country is at war. If I go back, I will be arrested or killed.’
Both migrants said they had spent nearly two months in UK detention before being taken to France.
‘Ali’ claimed his future is now ‘destroyed because of the UK government’, with both men saying they were led to believe in Britain that once deported, they would still be given the opportunity to claim asylum.
France’s interior ministry confirmed the migrants may not be eligible to claim asylum in France and could face further deportation.
‘Ali’ alleged it was French-based people smugglers who had brought him to the UK and that they now wish to kill him due to an initial failed crossing and money they say he owes.
Having travelled from East Africa to the UK with his childhood friend, he said his friend was now in a hotel in the UK and that he was given no reason as to why he was selected to be returned.
‘Ali’ went on to allege his experience of deportation had made him suicidal.
He said: ‘I see so many people in the street after two months or after one month, it may be like this for me.
‘They say France is a safe country, but it’s not safe for me. There is an acute lack of housing in Paris and the men have been told they may face homelessness.
‘Why would we throw ourselves into the boat? It was difficult. If someone has a chance to claim asylum, he wouldn’t throw himself on a boat.’
The Home Office said: ‘Individuals who are returned under the pilot and subsequently attempt to re-enter the UK illegally will be removed.’
The French Interior Ministry declined to comment.
