The UK is preparing to deport the first group of migrants to France under its new returns agreement, designed to curb illegal crossings of the English Channel.
The “one in, one out” scheme allows the UK to send back migrants who arrived on small boats in exchange for approved arrivals from France. Initial detentions under the deal began on August 6th, with the first flight expected as early as Monday.
New Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, tasked with strengthening the UK’s response to Channel crossings, said she expects the returns to start “imminently.”
According to The Telegraph, authorities have issued official orders to migrants arriving on small boats last month, instructing them to leave the UK for France within five days.
So far this year, over 30,000 migrants have crossed the Channel, as the UK recorded more than 111,000 asylum applications in the past year—the highest since records began in 2001. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing fierce criticism for failing to stop illegal small boat crossings to England.
