The UK government’s plan to tackle the illegal immigration crisis—particularly the “one-in, one-out” deal with France initiated by Prime Minister Keir Starmer—is facing serious challenges and risks collapsing entirely. Recent reports reveal that deportation costs have surged to astonishing levels, while the legal system supporting the process is becoming increasingly paralyzed.

According to newly released figures, the cost of deporting a single migrant back to France has risen to nearly £50,000. This staggering amount has led critics to question the long-term sustainability of the policy and whether it delivers value for taxpayers.

However, cost is only part of the problem. A more critical issue undermining the system is the growing refusal of immigration lawyers to take on such cases. In a recent deportation operation, although 38 migrants were scheduled to be returned to France, only six were actually removed. The rest were halted at the last minute, mainly due to legal challenges or the inability to secure legal representation.

A report from Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor confirmed this situation. Lawyers are either declining cases or failing to respond to requests for assistance. An experienced immigration lawyer pointed to a shortage of specialists in immigration law, combined with overwhelming workloads, low pay, and intense media scrutiny surrounding high-profile cases, as key reasons why many legal professionals are stepping back.

At the same time, the UK government is facing direct legal challenges. A group of 16 migrants has filed a case contesting the legality of the “one-in, one-out” scheme. They argue that the policy denies them the right to submit last-minute asylum claims, particularly on the grounds of being victims of modern slavery. The group also expressed doubts about France’s ability to protect them from trafficking or provide adequate housing and healthcare. Although Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood amended the law last year to restrict such late claims, the number of actual deportations remains very low.

A New Smuggling Tactic

As deportation efforts struggle, UK border forces continue to face a steady flow of migrants crossing the English Channel. Notably, an investigation by The Telegraph has exposed a sophisticated new tactic used by smuggling networks.

Leaked audio recordings reveal that traffickers are instructing migrants from countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan to pose as members of the “Bidoon”—a stateless minority group historically persecuted in Kuwait. Because genuine Bidoon individuals lack official documents, the UK Home Office faces significant challenges in verifying identities.

To bypass authorities, smugglers have created “training manuals” containing answers to basic Home Office screening questions, such as Kuwait’s phone codes or the colors of its flag. Migrants are instructed to memorize these responses like exam candidates, enabling them to pass interviews without presenting any identification.

Journalist Mitchell Derin noted that there are only around 70,000 undocumented Bidoon people worldwide. Yet, if current figures are accurate, the United Kingdom has already received around 12,000 individuals claiming to be Bidoon (excluding  family visas). Even more striking, in 2025, the number of asylum seekers identifying as Bidoon reportedly surpassed those arriving from Ukraine.

These escalating challenges—on both the legal front and border control—are placing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government under immense pressure, threatening to severely undermine the deterrent effect of its new immigration policy.