The first migrants set to be deported to Rwanda have been detained.
The Home Office said a series of operations took place across the country this week, with more activity due to be carried out in the coming weeks.
Officials have not yet said how many people have been detained, or where they were taken into custody.
It comes ahead of the Government’s bid to get flights to send migrants to the east African nation off the ground by July, after the Safety of Rwanda Act became law last week.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Our Rwanda partnership is a pioneering response to the global challenge of illegal migration, and we have worked tirelessly to introduce new, robust legislation to deliver it.
“Our dedicated enforcement teams are working at pace to swiftly detain those who have no right to be here so we can get flights off the ground.
“This is a complex piece of work, but we remain absolutely committed to operationalising the policy, to stop the boats and break the business model of people smuggling gangs.”
Related: The Sun declares ‘lift off’ as first asylum seeker sent to Rwanda