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The UK and Iraq have recently finalized a new agreement aimed at expediting the repatriation of migrants who do not have legal authorization to remain in the UK. This deal builds on previous collaborations between the two nations to combat human trafficking networks and dissuade individuals from traversing the English Channel in dinghies. A surge in the number of people undertaking this perilous journey has been observed, with over 27,000 individuals making the trip this year, up from approximately 18,000 during the same time frame in the previous year. In response to this escalating crisis, the Conservatives have criticized the agreement as inadequate, asserting that the proportion of small boat arrivals originating from Iraq is now negligible.
According to figures from the Home Office, the number of Iraqis undertaking the Channel crossing fell to 1,900 in the year ending March 2025, a decrease from 2,600 in the preceding year. This decline has been attributed to the successful collaboration between the UK and Iraq in combatting illegal immigration. The newly inked agreement is poised to establish formal procedures for promptly repatriating individuals who lack the legal basis to remain in the UK. Home Office minister Dan Jarvis and Iraq’s Deputy Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein signed the deal during the latter’s two-day visit to the UK. It should be noted that not all Iraqi migrants arriving via dinghies will be returned, as some may be eligible for asylum if they can substantiate claims of persecution in their homeland.
Despite the government’s assertion that the agreement signifies a crucial step towards addressing unauthorized migration, Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp has criticized it as a superficial gesture that fails to stem the escalating inflow of migrants. The UK had previously committed to an £800,000 initiative aimed at bolstering law enforcement and border security in Iraq to combat human trafficking networks, many of which are operated by Iraqi Kurds. Minister Jarvis emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts in addressing security, development, and migration challenges, underscoring the mutual benefits accruing to both countries from such partnerships. In a bid to enhance the expeditious repatriation of failed asylum claimants and foreign criminals, the UK government has pursued similar agreements with Albania and Vietnam since Labour assumed power. These initiatives have resulted in a 14% uptick in the number of individuals returned for lacking the legal right to remain in the UK, with over 35,000 deportations recorded in Labour’s inaugural year. Additionally, a recent accord with France entails the mutual acceptance of equivalent numbers of asylum seekers in exchange for the repatriation of select individuals who arrived in small boats
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