Demonstrations against the reopening of immigration detention center

Activists staged protests as the first detainees were set to arrive at the newly reopened immigration removal centre. Campsfield House, located near Oxford Airport, had been closed in 2018 after a history of disturbances, including riots, escapes, and complaints about its conditions.

The group Coalition to Close Campsfield, whose members gathered in Oxford city centre at Carfax and outside the detention centre, condemned the reopening as a "major step backward."

A Home Office representative argued that the facility would "enhance the UK's immigration detention capacity, allowing for a faster removal process for individuals with no legal right to remain in the country." They added, "We remain committed to maintaining safety and security across all detention centres and prioritise the welfare of those in our care."

The government confirmed that Campsfield House would house both time-served foreign national offenders and immigration detainees before their removal from the UK. The site has undergone a 70 million renovation, creating around 160 beds, with plans to expand to 400 in the future. The management of the centre has been awarded to Mitie for six years.

Local MPs, residents, charities, and Oxford City Council have voiced opposition to the reopening. Bill MacKeith, a supporter of the Coalition to Close Campsfield, said: "It is devastating that this site will once again be a place of suffering. Imposing this ignores evidence, public opinion, and basic human decency."

A further protest occurred at the centre on 22 November. Dr Hari Reed, joint CEO of the charity Asylum Welcome, stated: "As detainees arrive at Campsfield, we are deeply saddened that people are once again subjected to a system that inflicts serious harm. There is no humane form of immigration detention." The charity has initiated a three-month visiting programme to prevent detainees from becoming entirely isolated.

Pilo Moreno, a former detainee, shared: "Campsfield is designed to strip away your humanity. Every day, you lose a part of yourself."

Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, expressed concern over the reopening without sufficient consultation: "Campsfield was closed because it was unfit and posed risks to detainees and the local community. The government must clarify why this centre is necessary, whether the costs are justified, and how safety will be ensured."

The Home Office confirmed that healthcare services at Campsfield would not affect local resources. "Detainees will be held under immigration authority and will not have access to the surrounding area," they said. "The centre will be equipped with robust security measures to guarantee safe operations."

Author: Ethan Caldwell