PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Migrants: Detainees (1 June 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were detained in immigration detention centres as of 21 May 2020; and for what reasons each of those people has not been released.

Asked by:
Nadia Whittome (Labour)

Immigration Enforcement is responding to the unique circumstances of the coronavirus outbreak and following the latest guidance from Public Health England. We continue to remove people through available commercial routes.Statistics relating to COVID-19 and the immigration system can be viewed by accessing the following link https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/887808/statistics-relating-to-covid-19-and-the-immigration-system-may-2020.pdf

The Home Office also publish quarterly statistics on the numbers of individuals detained under immigration powers. This data can be found by accessing the following linkhttps://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/returns-and-detention-datasets

All decisions to detain or release are taken on the basis of a careful consideration of the facts of each case. Factors arguing in favour of detention include the risk of harm to the public presented by the individual concerned and the risk of absconding. Ultimately, the Home Office detains individuals to facilitate their deportation from the UK.

Answered by:
Chris Philp (Conservative)
4 June 2020