Eritrean Man Secures Legal Block on Deportation to France Amid Ongoing Migration Crisis

Fri Oct 17 2025 18:34:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A 25-year-old Eritrean man has successfully delayed his removal from the UK to France under a controversial new immigration deal designed to manage migration flows across the Channel.

In a significant legal development, an Eritrean man who entered the UK by boat has won a temporary injunction against his removal to France, as he claims to be a potential victim of modern slavery. This case raises broader questions about the recent 'one in, one out' immigration policy between the UK and France, designed to address increasing migrant crossings. The injunction could pave the way for further legal challenges from other migrants facing similar deportations, potentially complicating the implementation of the new policy.

An Eritrean man who arrived in the UK by small boat has won a last-minute legal claim to temporarily block his removal to France.

The 25-year-old was due to be returned on Wednesday under the 'one in, one out' returns pilot scheme agreed in July between the UK and France.

In the first legal challenge against the deal, in the High Court in London, his lawyers argued he needed more time to present evidence that he might have been the victim of modern day slavery - and the decision to remove him had been rushed.

The injunction raises serious questions about whether other migrants allocated to flights will use the same grounds to delay or block their removal.

Lawyers for the Home Office had argued that he could have claimed asylum in France. They added that delaying his departure could encourage others allocated to the return flights this week to make similar claims, and undermine the public interest in deterring lethal small boat crossings.

But during the hearing, it emerged that while the home secretary's own officials had rejected his claim that he was a victim of slavery, they had also said in a letter that he had a right to make further representations – and they would not expect him to do that from France.

Mr Justice Sheldon, who rejected the man's claim that he would be left homeless and destitute in France, said he would nevertheless have to temporarily block the man's departure in light of that development.

There is a serious issue to be tried in relation to the trafficking claim and whether or not the Secretary of State has carried out her investigatory duties in a lawful manner, he said.

The judge noted the man's lawyers must do all that is possible to make further representations within 14 days, so that his case can be finalized at a future hearing.

A spokesperson for the Home Office conveyed that the government expected the first returns to take place imminently and that the interim ruling would not prevent the broader policy from being enacted.

Kemi Badenoch responded to news of the injunction with we told you so and called for stricter laws to deter migrants. Commenting further, she expressed concerns about the UK becoming a refuge without stringent immigration controls.

More than 30,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year, a significant increase compared to previous years.