Asylum Seeker Questions Fairness of ‘One In, One Out’ Scheme

An asylum seeker brought to the UK under the government's "one in, one out" migration scheme has said he believes it is unfair that his legal entry came at the cost of another person being returned to France.

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The man is among those admitted through the policy, which allows one asylum seeker to enter the UK legally in exchange for another who arrived by small boat being deported to France. Speaking anonymously to protect his identity, he said he was grateful to be in Britain but questioned the fairness of the arrangement.

First-Hand Account of Legal Entry

"I am very happy to be here, but it's not fair that another asylum seeker who may have a very similar case to mine but arrived in a small boat has been sent back to France so I can come here legally," he said.

He added that he did not support a system in which some asylum seekers are returned to France to make way for others to enter legally.

Life in the UK While Awaiting a Decision

The government introduced the scheme in July last year. Since then, more than 900 people have been allowed to travel to the UK to apply for asylum, while a similar number of migrants who arrived irregularly have been transferred to France.

The asylum seeker said travelling to Britain by plane from Paris was far safer and quicker than attempting the dangerous Channel crossing in a small boat. However, he described life in the UK as uncertain while waiting for his asylum application to be processed.

He said he was still awaiting his main asylum interview and had little to do during the waiting period.

According to the man, he applied for a university scholarship but was rejected because of his asylum status. Although he has been volunteering, he criticised restrictions that prevent asylum seekers from working or studying while their claims are being considered.

He said the lack of opportunities left many people inactive as they waited for decisions on their cases.

Journey Through the Scheme

The asylum seeker explained that he applied online before travelling to Paris, where officials collected biometric information and passports.

Applicants were then taken to a hotel and informed later the same day whether they had received temporary visas to travel to the UK. Those approved were transferred to the airport and flown to Britain.

After arriving in the UK, he said the group was taken to a Home Office building for interviews. He recalled being escorted from an underground parking area into the building and said officials handled the process professionally.

He described Home Office staff as friendly and said they managed the procedure in a diplomatic manner.

The man also said he was staying in a hotel with other people admitted through the scheme and that all those he had encountered were single men.

Charity Criticises Policy

The charity Safe Passage, which supports asylum-seeking families in France seeking legal routes to the UK, criticised the programme. It argued that the policy does not provide a genuine pathway to protection for refugees.

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8 July 2026

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