Brighton's advice leaflet
From Noborders Network Wiki
Useful contacts
FOR LEGAL ADVICE OR SUPPORT:
Brighton Housing Trust (BHT)
BHT is the only place in Brighton and Hove that provides free advice and representation on immigration issues. If you need a solicitor phone 01273 234755 and leave a short message and your phone number; they are very busy but they will call you back. Brighton Housing Trust, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG
FOR GENERAL AND POLITICAL SUPPORT:
No Borders Brighton
At No Borders Brighton we believe in freedom of movement for all and we are against immigration controls and detention of migrants. If you need to talk to us we meet every other Tuesday at: The Cowley Meeting House, 52 Providence Place, Brighton BN1 4JA (behind Cowley Club) from 6 to 8 pm. Please check website for meeting dates, events and updates: http://nobordersbrighton.blogspot.com Or get in touch with us by emailing: brightonnoborders@riseup.net
Migrant English Project (MEP)
MEP is an independent project that supports migrants by providing a safe and secure place where to meet; we welcome all migrants. MEP is open every Monday from 12.30 to 4 pm at The Cowley Club, 12 London Road, Brighton BN1 4JA.
Brighton Voices In Exile (BVIE)
BVIE supports people throughout the asylum process; help people accessing services and can accompany people to appointments. It also provides destitute asylum seekers with food, toiletries and financial support. 'The Basement', 55 Upper North Street, Brighton BN1 3FH. Tel: 01273 328598. For emergencies: 07825536489 bvie@hotmail.co.uk www.brightonvoicesinexile.org
SETTING UP AN ANTI-DEPORTATION CAMPAIGN:
National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC)
NCADC is a voluntary organisation, which provides practical help and advice to people facing deportation on how to launch and run anti-deportation campaigns. Tel: 0121 554 6947 Email: ncadc@ncadc.org.uk
Bail For Immigration Detainees (BID)
BID works with asylum seekers and migrants detained under Immigation Act powers, in removal centres and prisons in the UK. BID can help conduct free bail applications and provide you with information to help to challenge your detention. Portsmouth Office: 023 9258 7567
Are you a person seeking asylum, refused asylum, an over-stayer... a person without Leave To Remain? And do you have to sign on at Electric House in Croydon daily, weekly or monthly?
Please read the following practical information to protect yourself!
If you think immigration officers may come and pick you up from your accommodation
Don't open the door to any strangers, even if they say they are the postman or have come to read a meter.
Tell your friends to call you or text you before they come and visit you, so you know who's outside the door.
If you've heard of some other asylum seekers or failed asylum seekers who have recently been arrested in the Brighton and Hove area try to stay with friends, most importantly don't sleep at your address. The immigration officers tend to make arrests in the early hours of the day.
How to protect yourself when you sign on
Most asylum seekers have to report daily, weekly, monthly to an immigration reporting centre or police station, usually Electric House in Croydon. This is hard, humiliating and, above all, stressful, especially that you are not allowed to take anyone with you and are cut off from all support. Many people have been 'snatched' when going to sign on and taken into detention pending their deportation.
If you are worried that you might be detained when going to sign on (if you have exhausted your appeals etc.), the following precautions may provide some protection:
- Make sure you know exactly where your case has reached in the legal process. Check with your solicitor every now and then. You can even ask your solicitor for a letter explaining your situation to avoid any confusion or mistakes.
- Always have your solicitor's mobile phone or emergency number on you.
- You can also try contacting your MP and have their contact details. Some of them are sympathetic and may help you out.
- Take a friend with you when you go to sign on so that, when you are detained, someone knows. If you can't take a friend, at least make sure someone knows where you're going and when you should be back.
- Make sure this friend has all the needed information about your case (your personal details, your HO reference, your solicitor etc.) so that they can do something when you are detained.
If you are detained
- Whether in a detention centre, at a police station or an airport terminal, insist that you call a friend and let them know what happened to you.
- If you have a solicitor, call them immediately. If you don't, ask the people around you if they know one.
- Ask if there are any visitors or detainee support groups and try to see them.
- Do not sign any paper saying you agree to return home and the like. Also do not sign any agreements to leave your children behind or take them with you. They might use all kind of tricks and threats; be strong!
At the airport
In many cases, pilots refuse to fly if there is someone on board who's stressed, making noise or refusing to sit down, or if other passengers object to having a deportee on board. Scream if you have any energy...anything to get the attention of other passengers.
- Tell passengers and crews that you are being forcibly deported against your will. Ask them to talk to the pilot as soon as possible (even before boarding).
- If you have friends and supporters, ask them to come to the airport and make some fuss and tell other passengers.
Don't give up, keep fighting! You can be taken off the plane up till the doors close. If you're not deported on that flight, you would be taken back to the detention centre and that gives you some time to legally challenge your detention and deportation or even start an Anti-Deportation campaign!
This list can go on and on. Best advice is to keep vigilant and inform groups or people who can help you. We have provided some contacts at the back of this page.
Attention! If you have received a letter from the Home Office
about Volunteer Return and IOM, please find out more about
it before you call the Home Office or sign any declaration/letter.
Get in touch with us!
http://nobordersbrighton.blogspot.com www.noborders.org.uk
Email: brightonnoborders@riseup.net