Immigration Solicitors

Analysis of Home Office statistics by The Independent suggests that more than 600 children have been detained under immigration rules since the government said this practice had ended four years ago.

Between 2011 – when the practice was supposed to end – and 2013, figures show an 80% increase in the number of children detained and imprisoned – an increase from 127 in 2011 to 228 in 2013.

The Independent reports that in December 2010, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced:

“We are ending the shameful practice that last year alone saw over 1,000 children – 1,000 innocent children – imprisoned.”

Since then, a total of 661 children under the age of 18 have been detained and imprisoned under UK immigration law. Most of them are the children of asylum seekers – and up to half that number are likely to be allowed to remain in the UK.

However, many are spending weeks in detention, with some children suffering profound distress as a result, involving symptoms of bedwetting, refusing food and suicidal thoughts.

Simon Parker of campaign group End Child Detention Now said:

“Although the numbers of children being detained are considerably lower than under the previous government, what Nick Clegg called ‘state-sponsored cruelty’ is still happening to hundreds of vulnerable children.

“It is time that we ended this unnecessary and harmful practice once and for all.”

A spokesman for the Home Office said:

“We have always been clear that there are certain situations where we may be forced to detain families temporarily.

“These may include border turnaround cases – or cases involving unaccompanied children – until alternative accommodation is arranged.”

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid immigration services and can advise EU migrants and migrants from non-EU countries on UK immigration law, including:

• Asylum and asylum appeals
• British citizenship
• Fast-track Detention process
• Illegal entry to the UK
• Marriage in the UK
• Right to work in the UK
• Student visas
• Visa overstays.

For expert legal advice on UK immigration law call Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

For urgent legal advice on immigration, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036, where an immigration solicitor is available 24/7.