Migration agreement to be initiated in the coming days

The UK's migrant returns deal with France, which is scheduled to start within days, aims to act as a deterrent to migrants attempting to cross the Channel in small boats. The deal, signed last week by UK home secretary Yvette Cooper and her French counterpart Bruno Retailleau, is the first of its kind and involves returning dozens of illegal migrants to France.

The scheme is part of a "one-in, one-out" pilot scheme, which is still in place for the next 10 months. Under this initiative, for every migrant returned to France, one who has a genuine claim for asylum will be allowed to enter the UK. The initiative includes stricter security and eligibility checks for the identities of applicants by civil servants.

The deal is not without controversy, facing opposition from critics, including human rights groups like Amnesty International. The new treaty has been criticized for putting lives at risk and fueling organized crime. Despite this opposition, the Home Office officials are prepared to robustly defend the deal against these legal challenges.

In an effort to target smuggling gangs, the UK government has allocated an additional £100m in funding for the National Crime Agency (NCA). The NCA will introduce 300 extra officers and improved detection technology to enhance border security.

The number of migrants arriving in the UK on small boats this year has surpassed 25,000, marking the fastest time the milestone was passed. This rapid increase in arrivals has put significant strain on the UK's asylum system, making the need for this deal even more pressing.

The deal is likely to face legal challenges in its initial trial phase. The Home Office has stated that it has allocated resources to defend the deal and is confident in its legality. The government officials responsible for defending the new migration return initiative have been described as "robust" by the Home Office.

In addition to the migrant returns deal, the UK government has also introduced a new legal route for migrants wishing to arrive in the UK. This online application process allows migrants to submit their claims, potentially reducing the need for dangerous journeys.

The UK's migrant returns deal with France is set to commence amidst opposition and legal challenges, but the Home Office is prepared to defend it. The deal is intended to act as a deterrent to migrants attempting to cross the Channel in small boats, and with enhanced border security measures, it may prove effective in reducing the number of such dangerous journeys.