British Home Secretary announces exemption for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children from detention, removal under illegal migrant bill

(MENAFN) The British Home Secretary Suella Braverman has announced that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children will be exempt from detention and removal under the UK’s controversial illegal migrant bill. Speaking in parliament, Braverman confirmed that the bill will not apply to detain or remove unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, except in limited circumstances such as family reunions. Instead, these children will receive necessary support until they reach the age of 18. However, the focus of removals will be on adult men under the age of 40, who represent the majority of illegal arrivals. The government has also announced plans to detain the majority of those arriving on small boats for the first 28 days without bail or judicial review and preventing them from making claims to stop deportation until after they have been removed.

The plan has been criticised by human rights organisations and refugee advocates who argue that it violates international law and the UK’s obligations under the Refugee Convention. Braverman stated that the new plan is necessary to adapt policies and respond to the change in tactics by smuggling gangs. She stressed that removing adult men is the government’s primary focus but warned against creating incentives for smugglers to focus on people with particular characteristics by signposting exemptions for removal.

The announcement comes amidst a growing dispute over the UK’s latest asylum policy, with Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker criticising the language of the policy as similar to that used by Nazi Germany. The BBC’s “impartiality rules” have brought the issue to the forefront as the broadcaster is funded through a license fee paid by UK households.

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