A report has highlighted the “callous treatment” suffered by a pregnant mother and her three young children—aged five, four, and two—during an attempted deportation by immigration officials. The findings come from the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB), which investigated conditions at a family pre-departure accommodation near Gatwick Airport, part of an immigration removal site.
The IMB concluded that families with children at this facility experienced unnecessary distress and suffering, leading inspectors to recommend its closure. Although the facility had not been used for families since 2020, it was utilized four times in 2023, resulting in significant emotional distress for those detained.
In one instance involving Family A, a mother and her three children were taken to the Gatwick removal center late at night on April 18, 2023. The family was held longer than the usual 72 hours, with ministers allowing detention until just before midnight on April 25. During this period, the mother expressed suicidal thoughts to a GP and feared for her children’s safety if deported.
While in detention, the mother received a positive pregnancy test on April 24. However, the Home Office attempted to deport the family the next day. After being notified of removal orders, the mother secluded herself in the toilet for several hours, refusing to cooperate with officials. The report noted that she exhibited signs of severe stress, hunching over and rocking back and forth.
The IMB criticized the treatment the family received, stating it caused “unnecessary suffering” for the mother. Ultimately, the family was not deported because officials could not use force due to her pregnancy.
Family B faced a similar situation. A couple with two children—a 15-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl—was detained in November 2023. The boy had to interpret for officials during their detention. The IMB remarked that the stress and anxiety experienced by the family appeared to serve no purpose, as they were released back into the community the following day.
The IMB also raised concerns about the mental health impact of detention on families, emphasizing particular worries for the detained children.
In another case, Family C—a mother and her young son—were detained at their home in Liverpool and taken to Heathrow Airport before being moved to Gatwick. The mother, a domestic abuse victim, expressed her unwillingness to expose her son to gang culture if deported. They were released after two days.
In the last case, another mother and her two children were detained at Gatwick after a failed deportation attempt. They, too, were released back into the community after two days.
A Home Office spokesperson stated, “It is vital that all stages of the removal process are conducted with dignity. That is why we are fully committed to continuously improving our immigration detention facilities and providing a service that prioritizes people’s safety and well-being. The Home Office will carefully consider the findings of this report.”
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