Asylum seeker sent back to France in ‘one in, one out’ scheme to be returned to Syria
A 26-year-old Kurdish Syrian asylum seeker returned to France under the UK's 'one in, one out' scheme has had his asylum claim rejected and faces deportation to Syria. French authorities deemed Syria safe for him despite international concerns about returns to the country. The case marks the first known instance of a person removed under the scheme being ordered to return to their home country.
- ▪The man fled Syria to avoid forced conscription by the YPG militia, stating he did not want to kill people.
- ▪He was returned to France in November under the 'one in, one out' agreement between the UK and France.
- ▪French authorities rejected his asylum application, asserting that his return to Syria would not pose a serious threat.
- ▪His asylum interview in France lasted a total of two hours and focused heavily on verifying his place of residence.
- ▪Since September 2025, 561 people have been removed to France under the scheme, while 551 have been brought legally to the UK.
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People being brought into Dover by a Border Force vessel after a small boat incident in the Channel. The man arrived in the UK in a small boat and was sent back to France last November. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PAView image in fullscreenPeople being brought into Dover by a Border Force vessel after a small boat incident in the Channel. The man arrived in the UK in a small boat and was sent back to France last November. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PAImmigration and asylumAsylum seeker sent back to France in ‘one in, one out’ scheme to be returned to SyriaKurdish Syrian man, 26, said he fled forced conscription by YPG militia because he ‘didn’t want to kill people’Diane TaylorSat 2 May 2026 05.00 EDTLast modified on Sat 2 May 2026 05.02 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleAn asylum seeker…
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