An Iranian man, who claims to have been a victim of modern-slavery at the hands of smugglers in northern France and returned to the UK by small boat after being sent back to France under the One‑In‑One‑Out scheme, is now facing his second removal from the UK this Wednesday despite growing concerns about his mental-health condition and vulnerability. He is currently being held in a UK immigration‐detention centre and is under hourly welfare checks.
The “one in, one out” bilateral pilot between the UK and France allows the UK to return certain adult migrants who crossed via small boats and are deemed inadmissible under the new agreement to France. In exchange, the UK accepts an equal number of asylum seekers from France who fulfil defined criteria (such as family links in the UK).
Initially the scheme aims for roughly 50 removals per week.
The treaty entered into force in early August 2025, marking a pivotal shift in how the UK handles small-boat arrivals.
Critics say the scale is too small to deter crossings and raise serious human-rights concerns.
Details of the case and alleged modern-slavery link
The Iranian arrived in the UK initially on 6 August. He was returned to France on 19 September under the scheme, crossed again back to the UK by small boat on 18 October, and then claimed asylum. His claim triggered trafficking indicators and was referred to the UK’s national referral mechanism, but was rejected on 27 October. Meanwhile the UK requested readmission from France on 21 October and France accepted on 24 October.
He states that in France he fell into a human-trafficking network: “They took me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, threatened me with a gun…” he said. He is now pleading for sanctuary in another safe country, such as Canada, because he fears for his life if returned to France: “My body can go back, not me… I am a human being and my life will be finished there.”
Concerns over detention, mental line and timing of assessment
His lawyers have warned UK authorities his health is deteriorating rapidly and that he needs urgent expert assessment for scarring from torture and trafficking—but a request to delay his removal was denied by the UK Home Office.
An appointment under “rule 35” (which assesses vulnerability in immigration detention) is scheduled for 6 November—after his planned removal date.
The Home Office itself acknowledges that while asylum seekers in France can access public mental-health care, “capacity and language barriers can hinder access in practice.” They also state “adequate steps will be taken in the UK to forestall any suicide attempt.”
Wider implications and policy contradictions
This case highlights the tension between the UK’s border-control priorities under the one-in-one-out scheme and its obligations to protect vulnerable individuals subject to modern-slavery and trafficking risks.
Last year saw 36,816 people arrive in the UK via small boats; as of 22 October 2025 the figure stood at 36,886—just 70 more than last year—with two months still to go.
The new returns deal is intended to change the incentive structure for both migrants and smugglers, but human-rights groups warn that individuals like this Iranian man may fall through gaps: turned back despite vulnerability, or stuck in limbo.
Legal and humanitarian voices call for urgent review
Humans For Rights Network (HFRN) founder Maddie Harris said they remain “acutely concerned for the welfare of this man” and argue his ongoing detention and threat of removal “is causing him immense distress … he should urgently be released and the threat of removal cancelled to avoid further acute harm.”
Harris also pointed out that others returned to France under the scheme “are living under the threat of onward removal to countries where they experienced abuse … with no access to information or support and certainly no access to safety.”
What comes next and key considerations
– The scheme remains a pilot until June 2026, after which both the UK and France may decide whether to expand or adjust it.
– Legal challenges around inadmissibility, vulnerability and trafficking claims are likely to increase.
– Monitoring will be required to assess whether the scheme deters crossings, respects human-rights obligations, and offers appropriate protections for trafficking/modern-slavery victims.
– For individuals like the Iranian asylum seeker in this case, the urgency for independent medical, psychological and legal assessment is clear.
