Judge issues order stopping immediate deportations

Last week, a High Court judge gave instructions to the Home Office to stop the deportation of foreign nationals without adequate notice. The order was issued in response to a legal challenge by immigration lawyers, who argued that no-notice removals deny access to justice.

 

The Border Agency policy to issue at least 72-hours notice before deportation was changed in March 2007. The current policy permits the deportation of certain groups - including unaccompanied children, persons at risk of self-harm, those who are deemed a threat to others and foreign nationals who have agreed to deportation – with very little warning.

 

Immigration lawyers state that officials exploit the amended policy by using it to justify removals in the middle of the night, leaving deportees little chance of contacting their lawyer.

 

This ‘zero-notice removal policy’ was challenged in court by the campaign group Medical Justice. The Home Office have promised to implement the court order immediately.