Indian national first to be deported from UK under new illegal migration scheme

An Indian national who crossed the English Channel on a small boat became the first person to be deported under the UK’s new returns treaty with France, the government confirmed on Thursday.

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the removal as “an important first step” in the government’s campaign to clamp down on illegal migration orchestrated by people-smuggling gangs.

“This is an important first step to securing our borders,” Mahmood said. “It sends a message to people crossing in small boats: if you enter the UK illegally, we will seek to remove you.”