Migrants who crossed the English Channel have been detained for deportation to France underneath the brand new “one in one out” returns deal.
The primary detentions got here after footage confirmed folks on small boats headed for the UK on Wednesday, the day the pilot scheme got here into drive.
The federal government has not mentioned how many individuals have been detained.
An announcement from the Dwelling Workplace mentioned the detentions started for individuals who arrived by small boat on Wednesday lunchtime, and people folks can be held in immigration elimination centres pending their return.
Sir Keir Starmer wrote on the X social media platform: “We now have detained the primary unlawful migrants underneath our new deal earlier than returning them to France.
“No gimmicks, just results. If you break the law to enter this country, you will face being sent back.
“Once I say I’ll cease at nothing to safe our borders, I imply it.”
The scheme, which was agreed final month and got here into drive yesterday, permits adults arriving on a small boat to be despatched again to France.
In alternate, the UK will enable an authorised asylum seeker in France to be introduced right here by way of a protected route.
The appliance course of for these in France hoping to use to return to the UK has now additionally been launched by the Dwelling Workplace this morning.
Neither aspect has put a determine on how many individuals they count on to be returned.
Dwelling Secretary Yvette Cooper mentioned the general public could be up to date concerning the scheme “at every stage”, however that she will not “provide operational details that criminal gangs can simply use and exploit”.
She added: “No one should be in any doubt. Anyone who arrives from now on is eligible for immediate detention and return, and this pilot will now build because we are determined that no one should be making this journey.”
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