UK Border Agency Says, Leave Or Be Deported, To Families Facing Removal From UK

06 Aug 2010

Under the UK Border pilot scheme, it was reported that families with children facing removal from the UK are being given a two-week ultimatum to leave the country voluntarily or they will be deported at some point within the following two weeks.

A report stated that the pilot, launched by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) in July, has been running in the northwest of England as part of the review of alternatives to detaining children. Also, failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants whose appeal rights have been exhausted are being told they are taking part in the pilot when they report to the UKBA's Reliance House in Liverpool.

And, the coalition agreement between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats has pledged to end the detention of children for immigration purposes.

In July, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told MPs it was a "moral outrage" the previous Labour government locked up 1000 children "who were innocent of any wrongdoing whatsoever".  He announced that the family unit at Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre would shut, although his comments had to be clarified by the Home Office after he originally said the removal centre itself would be closed "for good". The Yarl's Wood site in Bedfordshire holds people awaiting deportation but has been strongly criticised over reports children have been denied medical treatment, subjected to violence etc.