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But critics question whether deterrence on this scale would deliver the promised results.<\/p>\n
Human rights lawyer Daniel Sohege warned that expanding the \u201cone in, one out\u201d model could backfire.<\/p>\n
\u201cExpanding it would be the biggest benefit to human trafficking gangs that they could imagine,\u201d he said. \u201cDeterrence just does not work. We\u2019ve seen deterrent policies for years now \u2013 they are counterproductive on every single level.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSending modern slavery victims back means they go straight back to traffickers. It plays into the traffickers\u2019 hands,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
British Future, however, insists that the alternative is worse: continuing with failed policies that neither stop the boats nor protect refugees.<\/p>\n
Its report draws on the US experience, where the Biden administration combined expanded legal routes with tough returns, reducing illegal border crossings by more than 80% in 2024.<\/p>\n
Advertising helps fund Big Issue\u2019s mission to end poverty<\/p>\n
But Sohege pointed to a Home Office study <\/a>which found deterrence schemes often increased the risk of exploitation. \u201cMigrants have limited knowledge to no knowledge of migration and welfare policies,\u201d it found.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t address why people are coming to the UK in the first place, which tends to be because they have existing ties here, you don\u2019t address the real root of it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAsylum is secondary \u2013 it is a way to legitimise and regularise their status, but they\u2019re coming because they feel safe here and they have ties.\u201d<\/p>\n For now, the government says it wants to expand the pilot. But legal challenges are already testing the policy: this week, a High Court judge blocked one planned return flight, giving the claimant 14 days to present more evidence of his claim to have been human trafficked. <\/p>\n As Reform surges in the polls, a convincing solution must be a priority for the government, the report authors find. <\/p>\n \u201cFail to come up with a convincing and effective response by the time of the next election and Labour may struggle to get a hearing on the issues it would rather talk about,\u201d they warn.<\/p>\n Advertising helps fund Big Issue\u2019s mission to end poverty<\/p>\n \u201cLocal elections next May, in which Reform UK are expected to secure slews of new seats on an immigration<\/a> platform, may offer a taste of what\u2019s to come.\u201d<\/p>\n For Sohege, that solution means expanding legal routes and clearing the asylum backlog, giving people a viable alternative to smuggling.<\/p>\n \u201cMaking it safer and simpler removes the supply element for gangs,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is the only way you can combat them.\u201d<\/p>\n Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this?\u00a0Get in touch and tell us more<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Reader-funded since 1991 \u2013 Big Issue brings you trustworthy journalism that drives real change.<\/strong><\/p>\n