Children ‘detained’ under one-in, one-out swap deal

Two teenage migrant boys are now in West Sussex council care after concerns were raised

- Holly Bancroft

Children have been detained for removal to France under Sir Keir Starmer’s flagship one-in, one-out migrant swap deal, charity caseworkers say.

Two 17-year-olds, who made the perilous journey to the UK on small boats, were referred to the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group supporting asylum seekers held at Brook House immigration centre in Gatwick.

The boys were moved out of detention in recent days after concerns were raised, but had been handed notice of intent for deportation, informing them that the Home Office had evidence that they were “present in or had a connection to France” before they claimed asylum in the UK.

Migrants detained under the deal have been given the letters similar to the notices handed out under the Conservatives' failed Rwanda deportation scheme. Around 35 people are already in immigration detention in Gatwick and are set to be put on deportation flights back to France.

The children are now in the care of West Sussex County Council, The Independent understands. The council would not comment on individual cases. Support workers believe that other lone asylum-seeking children are still being held in detention for deportation to France, and in at least one case, they were forced to share rooms with an adult.