“Doing Harm Well”

‘Set them free!’

What is it that makes us passionate about our mission to see Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre closed? One of our members, Renzo Szkwarok, explains this so well below. He is responding to a report on the IRC by His Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons (HMIP). Read his whole blog  in this link. Doing Harm Well

…As government policies turn ever more draconian on immigration issues, Derwentside IRC acts as one part of a wider border system that criminalises migrants, with the express intended goal of expelling them.

Knowing this, should detention be labelled ‘good’ at all? If, according to HMIP, Derwentside could not deliver better outcomes for women, yet the harms persist across healthcare, legal access, intrusive room searches and staff conduct, then it may show these metrics are not fit for purpose.

What the report ultimately shows is that no matter how much carceral spaces are ‘improved’ via reform, they still produce harm. Though there may be instances of good, careful work done by staff as this report opens with, this examination reveals deeper, structural complexities and problems with the present immigration system that unevenly harm detained women.

No amount of reform will eradicate harm from this privatised, punitive system of control.

 

Join us in a new fight for justice

The UK government has now published its new Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026. Alongside the key changes we’ve set out below, the bill makes clear this government’s intention to increase the detention estate.   Together with our many partners we will fight this expansion.

The Durham Miners’ Gala on Saturday July 11th is coming up fast.  If you’re going to be there, head to our stall in the marquee on the racecourse. We’d love to see you, whether you’re already a N2H supporter or just curious about our campaign.

 

Proposed changes to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025

1. Refugee Status Becomes Temporary

This is the most significant single change.

2. A New ‘Core Protection’ Model

The Government has set out a new ‘core protection’ offer for refugees, which marks a significant change in direction — away from an assumption of offering permanent protection, and towards a more basic and temporary protection.

3. Visa Brake for Certain Nationalities

A visa brake bans citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan from applying for certain mainstream visas to live in the UK. The brake is not intended to be permanent and will be regularly reviewed, with the aim that it can be released as soon as it is considered appropriate to do so.

4. Asylum Support Becomes Conditional

The legal obligation to provide support to destitute asylum seekers will be replaced with a discretionary power.

5. Reduced Access to Public Funds

Access to taxpayer-funded benefits will be prioritised for those making an economic contribution, with a consultation planned for 2026.

6. Earned Settlement — Tighter Rules for ILR

The ‘earned settlement’ proposals are designed to make it more difficult to qualify for indefinite leave to remain.

7. Stronger Border Security Powers

Creating a framework of new, enhanced powers and offences to improve UK border security and to strengthen the asylum and immigration system.