More than 1,300 small boat migrants have crossed the Channel since the UK-France returns treaty came into operation last Wednesday, GB News can reveal.
Almost 250 have made the illegal journey this morning, reaching UK waters and being brought to Dover and Ramsgate harbours.
Around 150 others are still in the Channel, heading towards the UK.
GB News
|More than 1,300 small boat migrants have crossed the Channel since the UK-France returns treaty came into operation last Wednesday, GB News can reveal
This morning's arrivals so far also take the number who have crossed since the beginning of this year to around 26,800.
Weather conditions between Britain and France are expected to remain mainly good for the next few days, prompting many hundreds of other migrants to attempt the crossing.
The first detentions under the "one in one out" scheme came as people arrived in Dover on Wednesday, the first day the pilot scheme came into force.
Footage published by the department on Thursday showed some of those who were detained arriving and being medically assessed at Western Jet Foil in Dover.
The Home Secretary has previously said the accord is not a “silver bullet” to stop small boat crossings, but marked a step change as migrants will be sent back across the Channel for the first time.
However, the surge in crossings comes just a day after Labour admitted "losing track" of more than 150,000 migrants who have come to the UK on social care visas.
Government ministers have admitted they have "no idea" how many foreign workers were brought in to fill roles the social care system who are still working in the industry.
In another blow to the Home Office, The Telegraph reports it is not even known if they remain in the UK.