First migrants held under returns deal with France

Migrants who arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel have been detained under the new “one in, one out” deal with France, the prime minister has confirmed.

- MILLIE COOKE KATE DEVLIN

The first detentions came after people arrived in Dover on Wednesday, the first day the pilot scheme came into force.

The agreement, announced by the prime minister in a joint press conference with Emmanuel Macron last month, means that any adult migrant who crosses the Channel will now be at risk of return if their claim for asylum is considered inadmissible.

For each small boat migrant sent back across the English Channel, an asylum seeker will be allowed to enter the UK from France under a legal route.

UK officials aim to make referrals for returns to France within three days of a person’s arrival by small boat while French authorities will respond within 14 days.

Adults and families in France are now able to express an interest in coming to the UK through an online platform set up by the Home Office. They will have to meet suitability criteria, standard visa application process and security checks.

Posting to social media, the prime minister said: “We have detained the first illegal migrants under our new deal before returning them to France. No gimmicks, just results.

“If you break the law to enter this country, you will face being sent back. When I say I will stop at nothing to secure our borders, I mean it.”