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The inaugural Channel migrant was deported to France under the contentious ‘one in, one out’ treaty, officials announced.

It comes after 72 hours of cancellations of scheduled departures for asylum seekers and a high court intervention that paused the scheduled removal of a 25-year-old Eritrean man earlier this week. The individual was granted additional time to gather documentation related to his claim of being a victim of human smuggling.

A senior government official stated: “This represents an important initial move toward protecting our borders. It sends a strong signal to those crossing in small boats: if you arrive in the UK illegally, we will aim to deport you.”

“I will persist in challenge any eleventh-hour, frivolous attempts to obstruct a deportation through the legal system. The UK will consistently play its part in assisting those genuinely fleeing oppression, but this must be achieved through safe, legal, and regulated routes – not dangerous crossings.”

The UK-France agreement, which took effect on 6 August, allows the UK to hold and swiftly remove people who arrive via small boats. In return, the UK will accept an equal number of migrants through a newly established protected and legal channel – subject to background screening.

Officials added: “This day we will file an request to the court of appeal to limit the period the person has to provide evidence for reconsideration.”

Reports indicate that the man removed on Thursday is from India and reportedly flown into Paris on an commercial aircraft. It is reported that he had indicated a legal challenge to his deportation, but this did not halt the process.

Unlike countries such as Eritrea, Sudan, and Syria – which have elevated asylum grant rates – asylum claims by Indian nationals typically receive a much lower success percentage.

The man is the first of approximately 100 Channel migrants apprehended by Border Force at the beginning of the previous month to have been sent back to France.

Throughout the initial 72 hours of this week, all individuals due to fly had their travel arrangements voided, in numerous instances due to legal challenges.

As per information, the French asked for an Indian migrant as it means they will provide him assisted repatriation to his country of origin, where the authorities pays the flight cost and offers a monetary grant of 2,500 euros.

In the event the individual does not accept voluntary return, he will face compulsory deportation from France.

According to a information document given to detainees for France, housing in France will be made available “for the first days of your arrival. Options offered to new arrivals involve monetary support if you opt to go back to your home nation”.