We are deeply concerned and dismayed by today’s announcement that the Government plans to pursue so-called ‘return hubs’ for people who have been refused asylum.

Whilst the Government has not yet made clear how the ‘return hubs’ are meant to work in practice, we see this policy for what it is: yet another punitive measure that prioritises enforcement and deterrence over the rights and dignity of people seeking asylum. 

As a UK-wide network of frontline organisations supporting people experiencing destitution and homelessness due to hostile immigration policies, we have walked alongside thousands of individuals refused asylum, often unjustly, over the past two decades. In our research report, ‘Refused?‘, along with our recent blog, we highlight the stark reality facing those with a failed asylum claim, who can often face severe hardship, including destitution, homelessness, and deteriorating physical and mental health. Many people are refused asylum unfairly, particularly due to the acute shortage of legal advice and representation across the UK, and are left stuck in limbo and at increased risk of exploitation, detention and removal from the UK.

For these reasons, people can spend months, and sometimes years, in extremely vulnerable situations, and as a result may often struggle to understand their legal rights and responsibilities, and access information and support that could help them further resolve their claim and move forward with their lives.

The Government’s own statistics show that between 2019 and 2023, 14,378 people previously refused asylum were granted leave to remain following further submissions; and according to NACCOM’s most recent data, in 2023-24 our members helped 236 people they were accommodating to further progress their claim.

It’s clear that when people have access to appropriate legal advice, and the right support and information, they are empowered to engage with the asylum process, and stand the best chance of a just and fair resolution to their claim. For some people refused asylum, this may include choosing to access an Assisted Voluntary Return scheme, when appropriately supported to do so. It should not involve forcibly detaining and ‘returning’ someone to a country they have no connection with. 

The introduction of ‘return hubs’ risks further alienating people, driving them away from seeking the support they need, as well as creating fear and trauma in migrant communities that will put additional pressure on frontline voluntary services.

We urge the Government to engage with the wealth of evidence and solutions available to them, and work alongside the voluntary sector and people with lived experience, to ensure; that people can access appropriate legal advice; fair decision-making; a functioning and humane asylum process; holistic support for people to settle into communities. ‘Return hubs’ will only add further injustice, cruelty and misery into an already dysfunctional and ineffective asylum system.

Bridget Young, NACCOM’s Director, said:

“People refused asylum are often presented as having no further options available to them – in most cases, this is very far from true.” 
 
“This unworkable scheme will fail to achieve the Government’s stated aim of cutting irregular migration; it’s a distraction from the urgent need to fix a broken system and build an immigration and asylum process that is just, compassionate and effective. Plans like these will only deepen harm and continue to perpetuate injustice – and that is not what our communities want or need.”

We’ll be working with NACCOM’s frontline members, as well as partners, in the coming weeks to understand the full impact of the Government’s proposals, and to provide appropriate support as we seek to navigate the latest planned policy and legislative changes.