News

Category: Immigration Removal Centres
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
Card of a families silhouettes against a river scene

Card of a families silhouettes against a river scene Buy it now: HP Art's bespoke festive card collection for BID

Every penny raised from this collection will be spent on reuniting families separated by immigration detention in the UK.
12 Nov 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
5 A4 briefing documents are laid out on a green background

5 A4 briefing documents are laid out on a green backgroundIntroduction to Immigration Detention: 2024 Briefing Series

Produced in collaboration with Detention Action, Medical Justice and ILPA this series of briefings introduces you to immigration detention in the UK.
28 Oct 2024

Legal 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.
19 Sep 2024

Prison Legal Advice Survey finds continued low levels of representation

Our newest prison legal advice survey shows the barriers to accessing immigration legal advice whilst being detained in Prisons.
19 Sep 2024
An image of barbed wire with text overlay reading "50+ organisations, 85 signatories, 1 Demand: Choose Freedom! Keep Campsfield and Haslar Closed

An image of barbed wire with text overlay reading "50+ organisations, 85 signatories, 1 Demand: Choose Freedom! Keep Campsfield and Haslar ClosedBID Sign Joint Statement to Home Secretary against Detention Expansion

With 50+ organisations and 85 individuals, we've written to Yvette Cooper MP to stop the reopening of Haslar & Campsfield detention centres.
9 Sep 2024

BID Responds to this week's Immigration Policy Announcement

We are devastated by the government’s reinforcement of dehumanising rhetoric.
22 Aug 2024
Freya is dressed up as a human disco ball holding a blue t-shirt with blue branding

Freya is dressed up as a human disco ball holding a blue t-shirt with blue brandingVote for us in the Just Giving Awards 2024!

Staff member who ran 200 kilometres non-stop across the UK for BID shortlisted as a finalist for the JustGiving Outstanding Commitment Award 2024.
13 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
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

BID's JCHR submission opposing the Rwanda Bill

Read our written evidence for the Joint Committee on Human Rights, contesting the Rwanda plan as the bill enters parliament again.
17 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
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
A volunteer wearing a headset answers a call to our advice line.

A volunteer wearing a headset answers a call to our advice line. Urgent Appeal: Help BID give free legal advice in 25+ languages

We're raising funds for interpreter fees. Give now and your donation will be doubled.
27 Nov 2023
Earls Court and Chelsea Theater Community Story-telling winner 2023

Earls Court and Chelsea Theater Community Story-telling winner 2023WE WON! GPS tagging film wins award at Earls Court International Film Festival

Our film documenting the true story of being tracked by the Home Office 24/7 has won a London Film Festival award.
22 Nov 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
men in detention

men in detentionHorror stories about migrant detention centres are true: as I learned the hard way

Our former speaks out about his experience of Immigration detention in response to the Brook House inquiry in the Independent.
26 Sep 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

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
freya, the human disco ball, wearing a silver disco suit and silver star shaped sunglasses, in front of a group of runners.

freya, the human disco ball, wearing a silver disco suit and silver star shaped sunglasses, in front of a group of runners. Human Disco Ball's Blue Monday Run raises over £1,000 for BID

Over 80 people came together to raise money to support BID’s work in a endorphin-filled disco run.
26 Jan 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
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.

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. Join us for 'No More Detention Centres' at 7pm on 24th January

Book your free place to join us to learn about the proposed expansion of immigration detention in the UK and how we can resist it.
10 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

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
cover of our how to get out of detention guide. it is a drawing of around 8 people wearing orange life jackets on a raft in the ocean. One man is holding two children

cover of our how to get out of detention guide. it is a drawing of around 8 people wearing orange life jackets on a raft in the ocean. One man is holding two childrenHelp transform our ‘How To Get Out of Detention’ guide

Help us create an accessible version of this crucial resource.
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

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

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

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

BID and 73 other organisations call for the urgent release of immigration detainees

BID has written a letter to the government calling for the release of everybody held in immigration detention, supported by 73 organisations.
15 Jan 2021

BID signs open letter along with over 31 other organisations demanding no return to normal

BID has signed an open letter to the UK immigration minister including 9 recommendations
10 Sep 2020

BID response to Home Office position paper against a time limit for detention

Our response to the Home Office's political position paper justifying its use of immigration detention.
2 Jul 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

"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

“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

"Serco: rewarding failure?" BID volunteer Alice writes for the Justice Gap

After years of scandals & abuse, Serco have been awarded £200m to run two IRCs. We ask how they can possibly be trusted with such vast responsibility.
25 Feb 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

'Behind Locked Doors' event to be held 29 January 2020

Join us as we come together to expose the use of prisons for immigration purposes and conduct the BID Annual General Meeting
19 Dec 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

Serious concerns raised about access to justice in immigration detention

Six-monthly survey reveals serious deficiencies in the quality of legal representation in immigration detention
29 May 2019

High court hearing following Brook House undercover Panorama footage

3 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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