News

Category: Vulnerable Adults
The image displayed is of a barbed wired fence with a view from the ground up with a blue sky There is a BID logo which stands for Bail for Immigration Detainees with words in yellow that says Double your donation to our bail solidarity fund.  Below In white is smaller writing which says: Help provide free legal advice to people in detention centers across the UK. Donations doubled for one week!

The image displayed is of a barbed wired fence with a view from the ground up with a blue sky There is a BID logo which stands for Bail for Immigration Detainees with words in yellow that says Double your donation to our bail solidarity fund.  Below In white is smaller writing which says: Help provide free legal advice to people in detention centers across the UK. Donations doubled for one week!Double your donation to our bail solidarity fund

We are hoping to raise £15,000 for our advice line which answers over 7,000 calls a year from people in detention.
3 Dec 2024
sun lit picture of someone stooping to the ground black gloves touching grey socks revealing a 24/7 GPS monitor around their ankle. Above that image is a logo of two branches on either side and in the middle is text that says " official selection" London Lift-Off Film Festival

sun lit picture of someone stooping to the ground black gloves touching grey socks revealing a 24/7 GPS monitor around their ankle. Above that image is a logo of two branches on either side and in the middle is text that says " official selection" London Lift-Off Film FestivalGPS tagging film selected for London Lift Off Film Festival

A film about our client's experience of being ankle-tagged and tracked 24/7 by the Home Office, has been nominated for a London Film Festival.
2 Dec 2024
A person covers their face with a newspaper their hands are visible and one points to a letter about Brook House

A person covers their face with a newspaper their hands are visible and one points to a letter about Brook HouseI was lucky to survive Brook House immigration centre

Read our former client's letter in the Guardian responding to a death at Brook House IRC.
11 Nov 2024
Black and white image of barbed wire against a great sky

Black and white image of barbed wire against a great skyBID statement on death at Brook House IRC

BID responds to news of a death at Brook House IRC on 27th October.
28 Oct 2024

BID Responds to this week's Immigration Policy Announcement

We are devastated by the government’s reinforcement of dehumanising rhetoric.
22 Aug 2024
A picture of our legal director Pierre Makhlouf

A picture of our legal director Pierre Makhlouf Channel 4 News Feature: "What's the difference between you & the smugglers?"

Our legal director and former client speak with Channel 4 News about the damage caused by the scrapped Rwanda plan.
16 Jul 2024
image of barbed wire with trees in background

image of barbed wire with trees in backgroundBuilding a better system for survivors of trafficking in immigration detention

Read the briefing by the Taskforce on Survivors of Trafficking in Immigration Detention on building a better system for survivors.
9 Jul 2024
a  person sign with REFUGEES WELCOME in blue capitols outside

a  person sign with REFUGEES WELCOME in blue capitols outsideRead our consultation response to the Sentencing Guidelines proposals for immigration offences

This response compiled by practitioners working with those who have been charged and convicted of the immigration offences.
9 Jul 2024
Picture of barbed wire silhouetted against an orange sunset.

Picture of barbed wire silhouetted against an orange sunset. Read new academic research on how the COVID-19 pandemic made the case for detention to be abolished

The large-scale release of people in detention during the COVID-19 pandemic had no negative consequences. So why are people still being detained?
9 Jul 2024
an image of the front of the guide that reads "Applying for time extensions to obtain legal advice from a lawyer"

an image of the front of the guide that reads "Applying for time extensions to obtain legal advice from a lawyer"New resource for people in detention facing removal to Rwanda

A basic guide and template for applying for time extensions to obtain legal advice from a lawyer.
15 May 2024
A black and white image of a plane flying over a fence with barbed wire

A black and white image of a plane flying over a fence with barbed wireUrgent appeal for interpreter fees for Rwanda Project

We are in urgent need of donations to cover the costs of interpreters for detained individuals facing removal to Rwanda.
2 May 2024
a bird sits on barbed wire

a bird sits on barbed wireSix ways to act in solidarity with refugees facing removal to Rwanda

There are countless ways to act in solidarity. Here are six places to start.
2 May 2024
Image of a plane flying over barbed wire

Image of a plane flying over barbed wireBID reopens project to help asylum seekers facing removal to Rwanda apply for immigration bail

In response to the government’s inhumane Rwanda policy, this project will help asylum seekers facing removal to Rwanda apply for immigration bail.
30 Apr 2024
A pencil drawing of a prison and a woman in prison clothes thinking about her partner and children. They all have red hearts drawn on their chest.

A pencil drawing of a prison and a woman in prison clothes thinking about her partner and children. They all have red hearts drawn on their chest.“It is not the punishment, it is the separation that breaks me.”

Eve* shares her story of detention for International Women’s Day.
7 Mar 2024
image of an eye projected to lunar house which says watching migrants 24/7 underneath it

image of an eye projected to lunar house which says watching migrants 24/7 underneath itICO finds the Home Office's GPS monitoring pilot unlawful

The ICO has issued an enforcement notice against the Home Office over its GPS tagging policy breaking data protection laws.
5 Mar 2024
Malaki looks at big ben holding a heart shaped balloon

Malaki looks at big ben holding a heart shaped balloon"Does the Home Office have a heart?"

Show some love this Valentine's Day and join the campaign to end the UK's heartless automatic deportation regime.
14 Feb 2024

Joint civil society statement on the Rwanda Bill for Second Reading in the House of Lords

Read our Joint Statement in coalition with more than 260 organisations calling on Peers to reject the Rwanda Bill at Second Reading.
30 Jan 2024

Annual Report wraps up 2023

We supported 1,690 people last year with free legal advice. Read our Annual Report to find out more.
20 Dec 2023
life on tag

life on tagGovernment doubles down on experimental surveillance tech to track migrants

Annual review of GPS tagging in the immigration system 2023
20 Dec 2023
Lady justice on a yellow background with writing that says Summer Legal Advice Survey August 2023

Lady justice on a yellow background with writing that says Summer Legal Advice Survey August 2023Legal Advice Survey finds low levels of representation

Our latest Legal Advice Survey paints a stark picture of the difficulties accessing legal advice while being detained.
11 Dec 2023
Pierre Makhlouf

Pierre MakhloufWatch back: Overview of detention & bail

An overview of detention & bail by our Legal Director Pierre Makhlouf.
21 Nov 2023

ECF funding process leads to systemic inequalities & impedes access to justice

New research reveals Legal Aid process presents applicants with hurdle after hurdle to obtain legal aid & legal representation.
7 Nov 2023

BID statement on Brook House Inquiry

Our statement on the first public inquiry into abuse and mistreatment of people held in detention.
28 Sep 2023
man with sad expression looking out of window

man with sad expression looking out of window Stop GPS Tracking

Take action to stop the use of intrusive surveillance technology in the Hostile Environment.
23 May 2023

Ten reasons to bin the Illegal Migration Bill

With the dystopian Illegal Migration Bill at the House of Lords stage, we share ten reasons why the Lords must #BinTheBill.
11 May 2023
Image is of a woman running dressed up as a disco ball

Image is of a woman running dressed up as a disco ballTake part in our Mental Health Awareness Week Challenge

Take part in the Human Disco Ball's virtual challenge and help raise an emergency solidarity fund for BID's work.
9 May 2023

BID call for inquiry into Harmondsworth & Colnbrook IRCs

Read our letter to the Home Secretary following the death of Frank Ospina & reports of attempted suicides & self-harm.
6 Apr 2023

BID's 'Illegal Migration Bill' Briefing

Read our clause by clause breakdown of this inhumane Bill & why it must be resisted.
3 Apr 2023

"Living in dark rooms": Voices from Yarl’s Wood

On World Day of Social Justice we’re sharing the words of our clients locked up at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre.
20 Feb 2023
greyscale image of barbed wire and fence, with a yellow box on the right hand side with the details of our latest webinar. it reads 'no more detention centres: resisting the expansion of the detention estate' and 7:00pm | 24th Jan | Online in smaller text just below it.

greyscale image of barbed wire and fence, with a yellow box on the right hand side with the details of our latest webinar. it reads 'no more detention centres: resisting the expansion of the detention estate' and 7:00pm | 24th Jan | Online in smaller text just below it. Watch back: No More Detention Centres: Resisting the expansion of the detention estate

Watch our latest event to learn about the proposed expansion of immigration detention in the UK and how we can resist it
25 Jan 2023
front cover of BID's legal Advice Survey. The left hand column has a dark blue background and white text with BID's logo and 'Autumn Legal Advice Survery' and the 'December 2022' underneath it. The right hand column is a grey scale image of the Royal Courts of Justice's logo on their building

front cover of BID's legal Advice Survey. The left hand column has a dark blue background and white text with BID's logo and 'Autumn Legal Advice Survery' and the 'December 2022' underneath it. The right hand column is a grey scale image of the Royal Courts of Justice's logo on their buildingSerious concerns about the quality of legal advice available in detention centres

Key findings from the Legal Advice Survey gives rise to serious concerns about the quality of legal advice available.
15 Dec 2022
Freya is wearing silver star shaped glasses and a silver disco suit. She has star shaped fairy lights draped over her. She is smiling and facing the camera

Freya is wearing silver star shaped glasses and a silver disco suit. She has star shaped fairy lights draped over her. She is smiling and facing the cameraIntroducing the human disco ball raising £120,000 for BID

Meet Freya and Aaron, the dynamic duo raising a £120,000 solidarity fund for BID's work.
13 Dec 2022

BID publishes report on power cut at Harmondsworth IRC

BID report on alarming conditions that left clients without heat, light, running water, toilet facilities or hot food.
1 Dec 2022
Black image of white text which read s'BID statement on tragic death of person detained at Manston.

Black image of white text which read s'BID statement on tragic death of person detained at Manston.BID statement on tragic death of person detained at Manston

Read our statement on the death of a man who was likely unlawfully detained at Manston STHF.
23 Nov 2022
black outline of a person feeling defeated. on the left hand right there is text on top of a black background which says 'ignored in the dark: a sister's account of 'inhumane' treatment during harmondsworth power cut'.

black outline of a person feeling defeated. on the left hand right there is text on top of a black background which says 'ignored in the dark: a sister's account of 'inhumane' treatment during harmondsworth power cut'. Ignored in the dark: A sister’s account of “inhumane” treatment during Harmondsworth power cut

This powerful account from our client's sister lays bare the inhumane treatment people were subjected to during the power cut.
10 Nov 2022
Photo of Isaac Ricca-Righardson,  a pro bono barrister for BiD, sitting outside on some rocks. He is wearing a blue long sleeve shirt and dark trousers.

Photo of Isaac Ricca-Righardson,  a pro bono barrister for BiD, sitting outside on some rocks. He is wearing a blue long sleeve shirt and dark trousers. "A complete lack of humanity" Pro bono barrister Isaac on why he represents BID's clients

For pro bono week 2022, barrister Isaac Ricca-Richardson reflects on why he volunteers his time to advocate for BID's clients.
8 Nov 2022
image of a grey fence against a blue sky. behind it there is another fence in the background

image of a grey fence against a blue sky. behind it there is another fence in the backgroundBID challenges Home Office over access to justice failure at Manston asylum centre

BID has sent a pre-action letter to the Home Office challenging their failure to provide access to justice for people held at Manston asylum centre.
7 Nov 2022
still from our film 'I need air'. A man is looking outside his window onto his garden with his back to us. He is wearing a dark hoodie.

still from our film 'I need air'. A man is looking outside his window onto his garden with his back to us. He is wearing a dark hoodie.BID's film 'I Need Air' selected for Three Film Festivals

Film documenting the experience of detention in prison will be shown on the big screen to audiences around the UK.
3 Nov 2022
Graphic from the cover of our report on GPS tagging. It is the ankles of a person wearing white sneakers. They have a grey GPS tagger just on their ankles. The GPS tag has a circle on it with a drawing of a satellite on it outlined with orange circle and lines.

Graphic from the cover of our report on GPS tagging. It is the ankles of a person wearing white sneakers. They have a grey GPS tagger just on their ankles. The GPS tag has a circle on it with a drawing of a satellite on it outlined with orange circle and lines.Research reveals “inhumane” effects of GPS tagging on migrants

Damning report by BID, Medical Justice & Public Law Project evidences the human cost of GPS tagging in the Immigration System.
31 Oct 2022

BID briefing on Home Office proposals to reopen Campsfield House and Haslar IRCs

Read our briefing on Home Office plans to expand the use of detention.
13 Oct 2022

Brook House report finds systemic flaws in Home Office decision-making & Rwanda policy

BID's summary of concerns raised by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons' report on Brook House Immigration Removal Centre.
3 Oct 2022

Film documents Omar's experience of being locked in a cell for 22-23 hours a day for over a year

Watch “I need air” a short documentary by Omar, Yasmine Jessy Amar & Bail for Immigration Detainees.
1 Sep 2022

BID launches project to help asylum seekers facing deportation to Rwanda apply for immigration bail

In response to the government’s inhumane Rwanda policy, this project will help asylum seekers facing deportation to Rwanda apply for immigration bail.
11 Aug 2022

HMIP inspection of Colnbrook demonstrates appalling failings

Report demonstrates multiple failings in a centre where many people facing removal to Rwanda are now held.
11 Jul 2022

Ask your MP to take a stand against deporting people seeking asylum to Rwanda

It takes less than two minutes to email your MP using our handy tool & template.
19 Apr 2022

Harmful & discriminatory: The lack of face-to-face legal advice for women at Derwentside IRC

On International Women's Day Agnes & Gemma from Women for Refugee Women expose the realities faced by women locked up at Derwentside IRC.
8 Mar 2022

BID & Medical Justice Respond to the Prisons Strategy White Paper

Read BID & Medical Justice's Response to the Prisons Strategy White Paper.
9 Feb 2022

New research: ​"Every day is like torture": Solitary confinement & Immigration detention

New research documents the devastating impact upon immigration detainees in prisons of conditions amounting to indefinite solitary confinement.
8 Jul 2021

Royal College of Psychiatrists document the impact of detention on mental health

BID welcomes report documenting the impact of detention on those with mental health illnesses.
21 Apr 2021

BID raises concerns on the use of prolonged solitary confinement in immigration detention

Read our letter to the Home Office about the use of solitary confinement for immigration detention purposes.
7 Apr 2021

Watch back: Risky business: detention decision-making during the pandemic

Hear from our speakers including the BID team, a former client, Zita Holbourne from BARAC & Dr Juliet Cohen from Freedom from Torture
28 Jan 2021

On World Mental Health Day, BID Legal Manager Adam discusses how detention affects mental health

BID Legal Manager Adam Spray discusses immigration detention & mental health as we mark World Mental Health Day
10 Oct 2020

“Life after Detention” BID volunteer Charlotte writes for the Justice Gap

Three stories reflecting an immigration system that inflicts so much harm with such little compassion
28 May 2020

BID speaks to the Independent about the use of immigration detention during covid-19 travel ban

BID were asked to comment on the continued presence of hundreds of migrants in IRCs when there is no prospect of removal due to coronavirus travel ban
27 May 2020

Independent Inquiry into Brook House launches call for evidence

Inquiry investigating the mistreatment of detainees at Brook House IRC launches call for evidence. Read the full statement.
22 Apr 2020

BID volunteer Alice writes on the UK’s response to COVID-19 in immigration detention centres

Despite the Covid-19 risk, detention centres in the UK remain open. BID volunteer Alice compares the UK's response with other European countries.
21 Apr 2020

BID signs Runnymede Trust’s Open Letter 'Windrush: 10 urgent recommendations'

BID joins organisations urging the government to implement 10 recommendations following the Windrush Review.
14 Apr 2020

"Disposable lives" immigration detainees and COVID-19: BID's Rudy Schulkind writes for openDemocracy

Despite the health crisis, detention centres are still running. Rudy outlines how the plight of immigration detainees is highlighted during COVID-19.
14 Apr 2020

Help us demand the release of all immigration detainees amid public health crisis

As the Covid-19 threat intensifies we need your help to get people out of detention.
8 Apr 2020

Council of Europe Commissioner calls for the release of Immigration Detainees amid Covid-19 Crisis

Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatović calls for release of immigration detainees while Covid-19 crisis continues.
31 Mar 2020

“Everyone is crying”: The tragedy of Yarl’s Wood

With International Women’s Day on Sunday, we take a look at Yarl’s Wood the UK’s only facility established to detain women for immigration purposes.
6 Mar 2020

BID exposes Immigration Detention in Prisons at ‘Behind Locked Doors’

Watch clips and download the slides from ‘Behind Locked Doors’ our event is raising awareness about detention in prisons.
11 Feb 2020

Legal Advice Survey shows failings in access to justice for immigration detainees

Research published today based on the testimony of 90 people in detention gives rise to serious concerns about the quality of legal advice available.
6 Feb 2020

Statement by Bail for Immigration Detainees on the upcoming charter flight to Jamaica

Of the 50 people who are scheduled to be deported on the charter flight to Jamaica next week 5 are BID clients. Read our full statement.
6 Feb 2020

BID speaks to the Independent about how the government detain hundreds of trafficking victims

BID were asked to comment after the Home Office were forced to pay compensation to a victim of modern slavery for their unlawful detention.
24 Oct 2019

On anti-slavery day we call upon the government to stop detaining victims of trafficking

The UK government continues to detain victims of trafficking in their hundreds, despite the harm it causes.
18 Oct 2019

Failures and Cover-ups: suicide in UK detention centres

Today on World Suicide Prevention day we shed light on the national scandal of suicide in immigration detention
10 Sep 2019

BID joins 30 organisations calling for data on victims of trafficking

BID has signed an open letter calling for the government to release data on the immigration outcomes of victims of trafficking.
22 Aug 2019

Detaining Victims: Human Trafficking and the UK Immigration System

New report draws on BID's experience to explore why and how victims of trafficking are being detained under immigration powers.
30 Jul 2019

Open letter: The government needs to do more to protect victims of human trafficking

BID joins over 20 charities as signatories of an open letter urging the government to do more to protect victims of trafficking.
17 Jul 2019

Brook House investigation powers extended by high court judge

The high court has ruled that an investigation into systemic abuse at Brook House immigration removal centre must have the power to compel witnesses.
28 Jun 2019

Exploring calls for time limits on immigration detention

BID trustee Kezia Tobin discusses the recent calls for time limits on immigration detention.
17 Jun 2019

BID’s longest-serving client: Detained for two years and ‘no risk of offending’

BID Director Celia Clarke writes for the Justice Gap after one of our tweets captured the public's attention.
6 Jun 2019

How the UK government detains and deports parents

Today on International Day of Families, our Legal Manager Nick explains how the Home Office fails families by detaining and deporting parents.
15 May 2019

“Nothing Good Comes from Detention”: Shocking testimonies from detention

New research published by Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) exposes the full horror of people’s experience of immigration detention in the UK.
18 Apr 2019

“Careless and cavalier” Home Affairs Select Committee slams immigration detention

Home Affairs Select Committee slams immigration detention system and Home Office management of it as witnesses give compelling evidence.
21 Mar 2019

Hidden Histories: Yarl’s Wood and its captive women

Today on International Women’s Day, we take a look at Yarl’s Wood IRC the UK’s only facility established to detain women for immigration purposes.
8 Mar 2019
Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) is a registered Charity No. 1077187. Registered in England as a Limited Company No. 03803669. Accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner Ref. No. N200100147. We are a member of the Fundraising Regulator, committed to best practice in fundraising and follow the standards for fundraising as set out in the Code of Fundraising Practice.
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