UK signs new deal to return illegal migrants

The UK government has signed a new agreement with Iraq that aims to deter small boat crossings and tackle illegal migration by enabling repatriation.

As part of this deal, illegal immigrants who are Iraqi nationals and have no legal right to be in the United Kingdom will be able to be returned to Iraq.

Formal processes for this repatriation mechanism will be established, which the government will be required to follow as it facilitate the repatriation of qualifying illegal immigrants to Iraq.

The government said the number of Iraqi nationals who arrive by small boat in the UK has fallen to 1,900 in the year ending March 2025. This is a significant reduction from the 2,600 recorded the previous year, which the government said is a result of its comprehensive approach to addressing illegal migration to the UK.

This new UK-Iraq agreement also includes broader economic and security partnerships, with the UK reiterating support for infrastructure development in Iraq and both countries agreeing on the need for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy in the Middle East.

“As someone who served in Iraq, I understand first-hand the importance of building enduring relationships in the region, and the new agreement we have signed is a testament to the trust and cooperation we’ve built with our Iraqi counterparts,” said Security Minister Dan Jarvis.

“By working together on security, development and migration challenges, we are building stronger relationships that benefit both our countries whilst tackling shared challenges like organised crime and irregular migration.”

The government also noted that in its first year, it has returned 35,000 failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals, and other immigration offenders to their country of origin. It said this new agreement builds on other successful elements of international cooperation, including the recent UK-France treaty which allows small boat arrivals to be detained and returned.

“The UK-Iraq relationship has entered a new era – going from strength to strength across a number of areas, including driving economic growth and ensuring regional stability,” said Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer.

“We will continue to use innovative foreign policy approaches to secure Britain’s borders and support development through partnerships.”

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