Alison Thewliss MP, chair of the APPG on Immigration Detention, has written to the Home Secretary Priti Patel today in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The letter raises serious concerns about the Home Office’s response to COVID-19 in immigration detention centres, and calls for the release of all people still held under immigration powers in the UK, many of whom suffer from poor health – including the conditions that put people at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

The letter also calls for clarification about reports of significant changes to the  detention regime in recent days, including severe restrictions on detainees’ movements (e.g. being required to stay in their room and, in some cases, being locked in their rooms), reduced access to emails, internet, faxes and phonecalls, and a ban on all visits including by legal representatives and independent clinicians.

Such changes would appear to breach various provisions in the Detention Centre Rules 2001. Ms Thewliss has asked the Home Secretary to confirm whether these changes to the regime have indeed taken place and what, if any, assessment her department has made as to the lawfulness of continued detention in light of them.

Read the full letter below. It is also available to download here.