A Sun investigation claims that nearly 4,300 migrants who were previously deported from the UK were later found back in Britain between 2021 and 2025, with more than 4,600 re-entry events recorded.

 

A Sun investigation claims that nearly 4,300 migrants who were previously deported from the UK were later found back in Britain between 2021 and 2025, with more than 4,600 re-entry events recorded.

Yes, a June 2026 investigation by The Sun revealed that nearly 4,300 previously deported migrants managed to re-enter and were later found back in Britain between 2021 and 2025.

The data, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, highlights significant friction within the Home Office's tracking and enforcement mechanisms.

Key Findings of the Investigation

• 4,614 Re-entry Events: A total of 4,614 distinct re-entry incidents were logged over the 5-year span.
• Repeat Removals: At least 723 individuals were deported or removed from the UK on multiple occasions.
• Daily Average: The statistics break down to an average of more than two deported migrants successfully returning to Britain every day.

Breakdown by Nationality

Albanian nationals made up the largest group of returning migrants, accounting for more than one-third of the total cases. The top nationalities detected back in Britain include: [1]

• Albanians: 1,525 individuals
• Romanians: 767 individuals
• Afghans: 281 individuals
• Lithuanians: 233 individuals
• Iraqis: 150 individuals

Financial Impact and Enforcement Limits

The Home Office acknowledged that the actual number of returning individuals could be much higher, as matching identities is not always possible for every person encountered. [1, 2]

The financial gap between departure methods remains substantial. According to data highlighted by GB News and The Sun, an enforced removal cost the UK taxpayer an average of £48,800 per deportation during the 2024/25 financial year, compared to just £4,300 for a voluntary departure.

Home Office Response

A Home Office spokesperson stated that the government will not tolerate abuse of its borders and will catch and remove individuals attempting illegal re-entry. They also emphasized that illegal migrant removals are at record levels, noting a 41% overall increase in deportations and removals compared to previous tracking periods