Asylum seekers ‘effectively detained’ at Home Office hotels, investigation finds
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Asylum seekers as young as 16 years old claim they have been prevented from leaving their Home Office hotels for days in conditions an expert described as “effective detention”, an investigation has found. The Humans for Rights Network said it had received pleas for help from seven “distressed” young people at the Hounslow hotel, whom it believed were minors but whose ages were disputed by the Home Office. Experts said the alleged restrictions on movement amounted to “a form of incarceration”, bringing into question Home Office claims that “no one in hotels is detained”. “At least should let me go somewhere and walk around and meet with people.” open image in gallery The Home Office says migrants staying at hotels for processing can come and go as they please A Syrian asylum seeker who stayed at the same hotel, but did not wish to be named, said he was told he couldn’t go outside until he’d completed an initial interview the following day, and then only after 5pm.