Official reopening of immigration detention center

The Home Office has announced the official reopening of an immigration detention centre at Campsfield, located near Kidlington in Oxfordshire. The first group of detainees arrived on Wednesday and Thursday.

Campsfield was previously closed in 2018 following years of incidents including riots, escapes, and complaints regarding conditions. Demonstrators who gathered as detainees returned described the reopening as a "serious regression," while government officials stated that the facility would "accelerate the removal of foreign national offenders and individuals residing in the UK illegally."

The plan has faced opposition from MPs, local residents, charities, and Oxford City Council. The Home Office confirmed that the site underwent a 70 million renovation and now meets "high security standards." Initially, the centre has around 160 beds, with plans to expand capacity to 400.

Detainees are being brought to Campsfield "directly from prison, from short-term holding facilities following unauthorized entry into the UK, or after enforcement actions such as illegal employment arrests." The Home Office added that the detainee population will include foreign national criminals, immigration offenders, unauthorized small boat arrivals, and rejected asylum seekers.

The centre is operated by Mitie under a six-year contract. Alex Norris, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, described the reopening as "the first phase in a significant expansion of secure detention facilities, enabling faster removal of foreign criminals and illegal migrants." He emphasized that this move is intended to ensure fairness for those who abide by the rules and to uphold border security.

However, local MP Calum Miller expressed concerns, saying, "This appears to be a symbolic government measure on asylum that may not be the right approach, particularly given the facility's proximity to residential areas and the Oxford technology park."

Asylum Welcome's joint CEO, Dr Hari Reed, commented: "With the arrival of the first detainees, it is disheartening to see people returned to a system that causes deep harm. No immigration detention centre can be truly humane."

The Home Office also indicated that Campsfield is the first of several new detention centres, including a planned reopening of Haslar in Gosport, Hampshire. The reopening is framed as a demonstration of the government's commitment to protect the public and uphold the integrity of the immigration system.

Author: Ethan Caldwell