What to do if you have been placed in an Immigration Removal Centre. Your rights, solicitor, Rule 35, bail.
Immigration Removal Centre — a place where the Home Office holds people before deportation. It is NOT a prison, but you cannot leave.
You may be placed here if:
— Your asylum claim was refused
— Your visa has expired
— After a criminal sentence
Main centres:
Brook House (Gatwick)
Colnbrook (Heathrow)
Harmondsworth
Yarl's Wood
Dungavel (Scotland)
There is no time limit — the UK is the only country in Europe with no maximum detention period.
Free solicitor — you have the right to a Legal Aid solicitor. Ask the welfare officer at the centre for a list.
Phone calls — free calls to certain numbers (solicitor, BID, Detention Action).
Medical care — they must provide it, including mental health support.
Visits — family and friends can visit you.
Internet — limited, but available.
Access to documents — they must provide copies of your documents.
If you are a victim of torture, trafficking or have serious health problems — Rule 35 requires the doctor at the IRC to write a report.
The Rule 35 report is sent to the Home Office — they MUST consider your release.
Ask the doctor at the centre: "I want a Rule 35 assessment"
If the doctor refuses — complain through your solicitor.
Rule 35 is not a guarantee of release, but it is a powerful argument.
An Immigration Judge can release you on bail. You need a solicitor to submit a bail application.
For bail you need an address (bail address) — where you will live. Friends, acquaintances, or organisations can provide one.
Bail conditions:
— Reporting to the Home Office
— Wearing a GPS tag (sometimes)
If refused — you can apply again.
BID: 020 7456 9750
Contact the healthcare team at the centre — they must help you.
Request a Rule 35 report if you have trauma, PTSD, or a history of torture.
Call Medical Justice — they will carry out an independent medical assessment.
If you feel you might harm yourself — tell the staff IMMEDIATELY.
Contact BID (020 7456 9750) — explain the situation.
Find an immigration solicitor — check on oisc.gov.uk.
Write to the local MP (Member of Parliament) — they can intervene.
Provide a bail address — an address where the person will live after release.
Gather evidence for Rule 35: medical records, letters from a psychologist.