The British Interior Ministry announced, this Thursday, August 7, to have placed the first migrants who arrived in the United Kingdom with small boats arrested and with the intention of being returned to France in the framework of the Franco-British treaty entered into force on Wednesday.
“The people who arrived in the United Kingdom in a boat yesterday at noon were arrested. They will be placed in administrative detention centers waiting for their expulsion,” said the Interior Ministry in a statement, without specifying how many migrants had been arrested.
Expulsions “in the coming weeks”
This new Franco-British treaty, announced during the state visit of French president Emmanuel Macron to the United Kingdom in July, aims to deter people who wish to cross the canal in precarious ships and full of people, organized by smuggling networks.
According to London, France’s first eviction should take place “in the coming weeks.”
The United Kingdom will transmit to France in three days the names of the arrested migrants they wish to expel, and the French authorities will have 14 days to answer, the office office details.
“When I promised that I will not return to anything to secure our borders, I was serious,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is under pressure to stop these arrivals of migrants.
Applications on an online platform
More than 25,400 people have entered the United Kingdom in this way since the beginning of the year, 49% more in a year.
The treaty is based on a “one for one.” France will take migrants who arrived in the United Kingdom for “small boat” and whose asylum application is not considered eligible.
In the other address, London will accept people in France and make a request on an online platform, giving priority to those with links to the United Kingdom.
This platform is operational on Thursday on the British government website.
Source: BFM TV
