More than 100 foreign nationals have been deported to their home countries in the past five years, only to be returned immediately to the UK.
More than 100 foreign nationals deported to their home countries have been returned immediately to the UK, in the past five years.
Most of the failed deportations were blamed on problems with travel documents from the British government.
Most of the failed deportations were blamed on problems with travel documents from the British government.
The cost to the taxpayer is estimated at more than £1m research by BBC Radio Five Live has found.
The cost to the taxpayer is estimated at more than £1m, research by BBC Radio Five Live has found.
In one case a Mozambique man, deported after a UK drink-driving conviction, was refused access by his home country.
The government said the returned foreign nationals were a "tiny percentage" of those deported.
Like many of the 106 cases uncovered, he had been issued with a travel document by the Home Office called an EU letter.
A Border and Immigration Agency spokesman said: "We ensure those returning have all of the appropriate documentation required to secure entry to their home country prior to removal."
In 2007, more than 4,200 foreign national prisoners were deported, the agency said.
'Waste of money'
Many of the 106 cases uncovered had been issued with a travel document by the Home Office called an EU letter.
It is recognised by many countries, but non-binding and means the receiving country can refuse entry to anyone carrying one.
It is recognised by many countries, but non-binding and means the receiving country can refuse entry to anyone carrying one.
This was the case with the man from Mozambique, with the African country saying he would not be allowed through immigration. He was immediately flown back to the UK - a measure known as "bouncing back" by immigration officials.
This was the case with one man who was refused re-entry into Mozambique. He was immediately flown back to the UK - a measure known as "bouncing back" by immigration officials.
The Home Office said it does not compile figures on failed deportation and has rejected requests under the Freedom of Information Act on the grounds of cost.
National Audit Office figures from October 2003-4 show 82 people were bounced back, and Five Live has uncovered another 24 cases during the past five years.
It said the Border and Immigration Agency was successfully removing record numbers of people from the UK.
Disoni Bottino told the BBC he was taken from Kenya to Mozambique, then to Zimbabwe, and then back to Kenya and finally the UK.
"Hopefully they (immigration officials) won't be trying to get me somewhere else again," he said.
His partner Christine said: "They knew before they took him that it would be a complete waste of money."
'Desperate officials'
Pierre Maklouf, of the charity Bail for Immigration Detainees, said it was something that had been happening for years, including under previous governments, because of "desperate over-zealous officials".
"A lot of these people spend months, if not years, languishing in jails. In an effort to push them out and because the government has trouble trying to get travel documents for them, they send them."
One enforced removal costs £11,000, according to the National Audit Office.
Matthew Elliot, Chief Executive of the Taxpayers Alliance: "It's yet another example of how Britain's asylum system is becoming more and more shambolic."
He said the government should take a tough stance when countries refuse to take back nationals, and link their compliance to aid grants.
The Home Office said it did not compile figures on failed deportation, and has rejected requests under the Freedom of Information Act from the BBC on the grounds of cost.
Have you been affected by the issues discussed in this story? Please send your comments by using the form below:
