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By expelling Isabella Acevedo, the Home Office tears another family apart By expelling Isabella Acevedo, the Home Office tears another family apart
(17 days later)
In February, Isabella Acevedo, a heroic mother and courageous woman, unintentionally came to prominence as a result of ironing the shirts of the MP and minister Mark Harper for seven years without work documents. Today, disgracefully, she is not with her family in London but alone in Medellín, Colombia.In February, Isabella Acevedo, a heroic mother and courageous woman, unintentionally came to prominence as a result of ironing the shirts of the MP and minister Mark Harper for seven years without work documents. Today, disgracefully, she is not with her family in London but alone in Medellín, Colombia.
Almost two weeks ago, Isabella was dragged out of her only child’s wedding, just as the ceremony was about to begin, by 15 officers of the UK Border Agency and Sussex police. We were there and filmed what happened. Isabella has not even seen a photograph of her daughter in her wedding dress.Almost two weeks ago, Isabella was dragged out of her only child’s wedding, just as the ceremony was about to begin, by 15 officers of the UK Border Agency and Sussex police. We were there and filmed what happened. Isabella has not even seen a photograph of her daughter in her wedding dress.
The Border Agency officers, a number of whom weren’t wearing identification (it was “in the wash”, they said when queried), could not explain on what grounds they were taking Isabella from her daughter’s wedding. They only offered a vague “under the immigration act”. They also said we couldn’t film them but were unable to explain why (“We’ll confiscate your phone”). It is terrifying that a government minister could be narcissistic, brutal and extremist enough to target a family wedding, and chilling that the state’s salaried employees seem to have little idea what they are doing.The Border Agency officers, a number of whom weren’t wearing identification (it was “in the wash”, they said when queried), could not explain on what grounds they were taking Isabella from her daughter’s wedding. They only offered a vague “under the immigration act”. They also said we couldn’t film them but were unable to explain why (“We’ll confiscate your phone”). It is terrifying that a government minister could be narcissistic, brutal and extremist enough to target a family wedding, and chilling that the state’s salaried employees seem to have little idea what they are doing.
Until late on Wednesday night, Isabella was held captive in the notorious Serco-run Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre in Bedford. She was pulled from her bed in her nightclothes at 12:01am, bundled into a van with only some of her possessions and driven to Heathrow. If it hadn’t been for the quick thinking of Isabella’s neighbour in Yarl’s Wood, who called one of Isabella’s friends, those campaigning on her behalf would not have known any of this was happening. Isabella wasn’t allowed to call anyone, nor did the Home Office inform her lawyer or family. In fact, the Home Office only confirmed where Isabella was on Thursday afternoon, after obstructing and stalling her lawyer’s requests.Until late on Wednesday night, Isabella was held captive in the notorious Serco-run Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre in Bedford. She was pulled from her bed in her nightclothes at 12:01am, bundled into a van with only some of her possessions and driven to Heathrow. If it hadn’t been for the quick thinking of Isabella’s neighbour in Yarl’s Wood, who called one of Isabella’s friends, those campaigning on her behalf would not have known any of this was happening. Isabella wasn’t allowed to call anyone, nor did the Home Office inform her lawyer or family. In fact, the Home Office only confirmed where Isabella was on Thursday afternoon, after obstructing and stalling her lawyer’s requests.
Twelve people have died in recent years and many have been injured in removal centres and when being transported for deportation. The best known cases are those of Jimmy Mubenga, who died in 2010 on a plane while being restrained by G4S officers, and Christine Case, who died after allegedly being deprived of medical care at Yarl’s Wood in March. Rashida Manjoo, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women, was – shockingly – denied access to Yarl’s Wood, according to campaigners.Twelve people have died in recent years and many have been injured in removal centres and when being transported for deportation. The best known cases are those of Jimmy Mubenga, who died in 2010 on a plane while being restrained by G4S officers, and Christine Case, who died after allegedly being deprived of medical care at Yarl’s Wood in March. Rashida Manjoo, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women, was – shockingly – denied access to Yarl’s Wood, according to campaigners.
It is alarming that once again Theresa May’s Home Office hasn’t followed its own detailed and recently published removal guidelines. The detention services order 3/2014 states “a minimum of 72 hours must be allowed between informing a detainee of removal directions and the removal itself”. Home Office officials have too much unchecked power, which unfortunately seems to rush to the head of certain ministers and senior civil servants. It is alarming that once again Theresa May’s Home Office hasn’t followed its own detailed and recently published removal guidelines. The detention services order 3/2014 states “a minimum of 72 hours must be allowed between informing a detainee of removal directions and the removal itself”. Home Office officials have too much unchecked power, which unfortunately seems to rush to the head of certain ministers and senior civil servants.
May has wasted close to £2m of our money on repeated attempts to deport her imaginary public enemy number one, Abu Qatada. As so many predicted, Qatada was acquitted of charges at his recent trial in Jordan. Her two attempts to pull apart our family failed spectacularly too. In the case of our friend Isabella, there is no doubt in our minds that the Home Office has once again put perverse personal politics and electioneering ahead of sitting down and thinking through the serious implications of tearing families and lives apart.May has wasted close to £2m of our money on repeated attempts to deport her imaginary public enemy number one, Abu Qatada. As so many predicted, Qatada was acquitted of charges at his recent trial in Jordan. Her two attempts to pull apart our family failed spectacularly too. In the case of our friend Isabella, there is no doubt in our minds that the Home Office has once again put perverse personal politics and electioneering ahead of sitting down and thinking through the serious implications of tearing families and lives apart.