Recently
a number of constituents have written to me to ask if I would support a series
of amendments to the Immigration and Social Security Bill to end the practice
of detaining asylum seekers indefinitely.
I am glad to read this, as the ending of indefinite
detention is an issue that I have been working with organisations such as
Detention Action on and continue to take an interest in. Constituents may also
recall that in my speech at the Second Reading of the Immigration Bill in 2019
I called on the Government to address this long overdue issue.
The UK is a unique case within Western Europe as
there is currently no maximum time limit on how long an immigrant can remain in
detention.
Not only does this policy at times jeopardise the
rights of asylum seekers, there are significant costs incurred to the tax payer
as a result. On average it costs over £30,000 to detain an individual for a
year which is not an unusual length of time in the UK.
Immigration detention should be used only as an
absolute last resort, and I will continue to use my influence as an MP to work
with the Government in ensuring that our asylum and immigration policies are
effective and robust in protecting our borders, while treating individuals
fairly and lawfully – in this regard it should mean not detaining them for any
longer than is necessary.
Under the present circumstances, my preferred
outcome is that those in immigration detention should have their cases
expedited by the Home Office. Some will have their decisions overturned while
others, subject to immigration removal, may well need to be in more suitable
accommodation arrangements so that are shielded from those who have COVID-19,
before they can be returned to their country of origin.
