The UK Home Office announced that the British-French agreement signed last July to combat illegal migrant crossings will enter into force today, Tuesday.

In a statement, the Home Office explained that the agreement establishes a legal framework for the UK-France "One In, One Out" pilot program. Under this scheme, the British government will be authorized to detain anyone entering the UK via small boat immediately upon arrival and return them to France.

In return, France will have the option to admit an equivalent number of eligible migrants to the UK through a new legal pathway—provided they have not previously attempted illegal crossings—subject to full documentation and security checks.

The statement quoted Prime Minister Keir Starmer as saying: "This government has been working to fix the broken asylum system we inherited. Today, we send a clear message: If you come here illegally by small boat, you risk being sent back to France."

Starmer described the program as "the result of months of careful diplomacy delivering real results for the British people," adding that his government was striking deals "no previous administration managed to achieve in the fight against vile smuggling gangs."

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was also quoted, stating: "For the first time under this groundbreaking treaty, those making dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK can be returned to France. In exchange, we will facilitate the transfer of individuals with legitimate claims and proper documentation to the UK, subject to clear eligibility criteria and rigorous security checks."

Cooper emphasized that this move critically undermines the business model of organized criminal gangs behind these crossings, dispelling their false claims that illegal arrivals cannot be returned to France.

She reiterated the UK’s commitment to "playing its part alongside other nations in helping those fleeing persecution and conflict," but stressed that this "must be done through safe, legal, and controlled routes—not dangerous, illegal, and chaotic means."

The Home Secretary pledged to scale up the pilot program incrementally, alongside continued cross-border efforts to dismantle people-smuggling networks, backed by a new £100 million ($132.9 million USD) investment to strengthen law enforcement against these gangs.

The treaty governing the pilot program will remain in effect until June 2026.