The United Kingdom and France have formally implemented a new bilateral agreement known as the "one in, one out" migrant returns deal aimed at reducing illegal crossings of the English Channel by small boats. Under this pilot scheme, migrants arriving in the UK via small boats who have crossed illegally can be detained and returned to France. In exchange, the UK agrees to accept asylum seekers from France who have not attempted illegal entry into Britain. The UK government announced it would begin detaining migrants within days of the treaty's ratification, and by August 7, 2025, the first migrants had been detained under the agreement. British Interior Minister Yvette Cooper confirmed the detentions, emphasizing the deal as a key part of the UK’s strategy to curb illegal migration. While no specific numerical limits on returns were disclosed, officials described the arrangement as an important step in managing Channel crossings. The deal has been characterized as a pilot program and a component of broader migration control efforts, with expectations that it may contribute to reducing the number of small-boat crossings. The agreement has also sparked discussions about its potential effectiveness compared to previous measures, such as the Rwanda deportation scheme.