ICAR

Detention of Asylum Seekers

The detention of persons subject to immigration control was first introduced in the 1920 Aliens Act and further expanded as part of the 1971 Immigration Act.  However, it is only since the early 1990s that detention has become an integral part of UK immigration procedures.

The detention estate has expanded rapidly over the past decade which is a reflection of the government's stated intention to facilitate the quick processing of asylum applications, to increase the removal of a growing number of failed asylum seekers and to gain greater control over the asylum system as a whole.  

This briefing, wrote by ICAR to assist the work of the Independent Asylum Commission (IAC), describes the operation of the UK detention estate and examines key issues such as legal advice and representation,  access to bail, detention of children and families, among others.

Last Updated: 26/01/10

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