The detentions got underway on Wednesday with migrants who had crossed the Channel "illegally" held in secure immigration centers pending their removal to France, which was expected to take place in a matter of weeks,

British border authorities have detained the first group of migrants under a pilot plan that will send some who cross the English Channel on small boats back to France.

The UK has detained the first small-boat migrants under a “one in, one out” returns treaty with France, as pressure grows on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to stem the influx of asylum-seekers across the English Channel.