UK Strikes New Deal with Iraq to Speed Up Migrant Returns
The UK and Iraq have signed a new agreement to fast-track the return of Iraqi nationals with no legal right to stay in Britain as part of a wider push to clamp down on small boat crossings and organised immigration crime. Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the deal “demonstrates our government’s commitment to serious diplomacy that delivers real results,” during a two-day visit from Iraq’s Deputy Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
The government pointed to a sharp drop in Iraqi small boat arrivals from 2,600 to 1,900 in the past year as proof that cooperation is working. While not all arrivals will be returned due to asylum claims, the agreement sets up formal processes to remove those who don't qualify. The deal builds on earlier £800,000 UK investment into Iraqi border security and law enforcement training. Jarvis added: “By working together on security, development and migration challenges, we are building stronger relationships that benefit both our countries.”
Critics, including the Conservative opposition, dismissed the move as “measly” and accused the government of focusing on optics over impact. But Labour ministers argue it's part of a broader shift in policy, which includes returning more than 35,000 people with no right to remain in their first year and striking similar deals with countries like France, Albania, and Vietnam.
