London, Aug 7
The first illegal migrants have been detained under the new return deal between Britain and France, the British government confirmed on Thursday.
"We have detained the first illegal migrants under our new deal before returning them to France," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a post on X.
"If you break the law to enter this country, you will face being sent back," he added.
The Home Office said the migrants were detained after arriving on a small boat on Wednesday and that they will now be returned to France in the coming weeks, Xinhua news agency reported.
The British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper did not confirm how many migrants were being held or will be returned to France. Critics have raised doubts whether the new deal will create any deterrent to potential migrants.
"The transfers to immigration removal centers are under way as we speak, so we won't provide operational details at this point that criminal gangs can simply use and exploit," Cooper said.
"But no-one should be in any doubt: anyone who arrives from now on is eligible for immediate detention and return," the Home secretary added.
British officials are expected to make referrals for returns to France within three days of a migrant's arrival by small boat, with French authorities responding within 14 days.
The pilot scheme, set to last 11 months will see Britain accepting an equal number of asylum seekers from France who have not tried to cross illegally and can pass security and eligibility checks.
As of 30 July, more than 25,000 people had crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025, about 49 per cent higher than at the same point in 2024, according to Home Office data.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This seems quite harsh. Many migrants are fleeing war and poverty - shouldn't developed nations show more compassion? Reminds me of how we treat Rohingya refugees in India. The human cost is often forgotten in these policies.
Interesting to see Britain-France cooperation on this. Meanwhile in South Asia, we struggle with similar issues but lack regional coordination. Maybe SAARC nations should learn from this example for better border management.
The numbers are shocking - 25,000 crossings already this year! This policy might help but the root causes need addressing. As someone who's lived in both UK and India, I see similar migration challenges in both countries.
Britain is doing what's needed to protect its borders. We Indians understand this well - look at our challenges with illegal immigration from Bangladesh. Strong borders make strong nations! 💪
The pilot scheme seems balanced - accepting legal asylum seekers while returning illegal ones. But will France really cooperate long-term? European politics can be unpredictable, just like our neighborhood politics in South Asia.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.