To: Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP
Secretary of State for the Home Office

Rt Hon Seema Malhotra MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship

Dear Home Secretary, 

Urgent: Immediate Suspension of Immigration Bail Reporting Conditions

We request that you immediately suspend all immigration bail reporting conditions. 

We are groups located across the UK, led by and providing support to migrants subject to immigration bail reporting conditions. We are gravely concerned about high risks to the safety and welfare of migrants and the wider public as a result of continuing in-person immigration reporting during the ongoing escalation of nationwide far-right violence targeting migrant and racialised communities. 

In line with the Government’s duty of care for the health and safety of reporting persons, all immigration bail reporting conditions should be immediately suspended. Similarly, appropriate security measures should be taken to safeguard those who have scheduled biometrics appointments at reporting centres. People should receive clear and accurate notification of any rescheduling of necessary appointments.   

Individuals subject to immigration bail reporting conditions must attend Home Office reporting centres at set dates and times. Many have to travel long distances to and from reporting appointments, often via transit routes requiring long wait times in isolated places, and may do so alone, increasing their vulnerability.  

During the present escalation of far-right violence against migrants, racialised people and Muslims—which has included the targeting of specific locations such as immigration reporting centres, asylum accommodation hotels, and legal firms and community organisations working with migrants—a continuation of immigration bail reporting conditions constitutes a serious risk of both mental and physical harm.

In ordinary circumstances, immigration bail reporting conditions are physically exhausting or painful for individuals with physical disabilities and distressing, particularly for those with mental health conditions. Many people reporting are asylum seekers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and/or other serious mental health conditions. Requiring them to continue to report during a period of heightened risk of violence, fear and intimidation is already having a grave impact on people’s mental health. The harmful impact of reporting for immigration bail on vulnerable groups is set out in the report by Migrants Organise, which is enclosed with this letter. This impact is exacerbated during the present state of heightened risk.

There is no justification for requiring immigration bail reporting conditions to continue in light of the present risks of violence and harm to persons reporting. 

Available data indicates that the rate of absconding has consistently been in the single digits, below 5%. The current Home Office policy is also clear that telephone reporting should be the main form of reporting. Any public interest in managing the risk of individuals absconding is thus  far outweighed by the serious risks to safety, health and wellbeing that individuals will be exposed to. Such a decision therefore would be irrational, and likely to be in breach of government’s duties under Article 2 (right to life), Article 3 (right against inhuman and degrading treatment) and Article 8 (right to private life) of the European Convention of Human Rights, as well as duties under Equality Act 2010.

Please confirm that you will be immediately suspending immigration bail reporting conditions by no later than 4pm Tuesday 13 August 2024. Please provide confirmation by email.