Two larger groups of migrants have been returned to France in what the home secretary has described as a “ramping up” of the “one in, one out” agreement.
Nine people were removed on Thursday, in addition to a group of 10 last week, the government said. Previous removals have involved smaller numbers of people.
It takes the number returned to France under the deal to 26, while the UK has accepted 18 in return.
Ministers hope the scheme will deter people from attempting to enter the UK illegally in small boats by threatening removal to France, with properly vetted asylum seekers accepted in return.
But on Thursday, the Home Office confirmed 1,075 migrants crossed the Channel the previous day.