The first deportation flights of migrants under the UK's returns deal with France are expected to begin next week. The initial flight could depart as early as Monday under the "one in, one out" agreement with Paris, which saw its first migrant detentions on August 6.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been tasked with ramping up the UK's response to small boat crossings. She said this week that she expected the returns to begin "imminently" as the government moves to implement the new arrangement.
Formal removal directions have been issued to asylum seekers who arrived in the UK on small boats last month. The Telegraph reported that these individuals have been told they will be deported to France within five days.
Channel crossing milestone
The number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel has topped 30,000 for the year so far. This represents the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 30,000 mark has been passed since data on crossings was first reported in 2018.
How the pilot works
The "one in, one out" pilot scheme operates on a reciprocal basis between the UK and France. Under the arrangement, Britain can send back migrants who have crossed the Channel in exchange for those who apply and are approved to come to the UK.
Sources used: "The Telegraph" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
