Eighty asylum seekers held under the UK government’s controversial “one in, one out” scheme have accused the Home Office of subjecting them to “fear, humiliation and psychological distress” at the Harmondsworth immigration removal centre. In a report compiled by the detainees, they claim to have been treated unjustly, with allegations of arbitrary detention, denial of legal representation, inadequate medical care, and severe psychological harm.
The asylum seekers, who have arrived in the UK on small boats from conflict zones such as Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iran, say they came to the UK “in the pursuit of safety, dignity and a chance to live a peaceful life.” However, their treatment since arriving has allegedly violated fundamental human rights principles.
The report details instances of detainees experiencing severe mental health crises, including self-harm attempts, and being placed in isolation or disciplinary units. Detainees report widespread depression, anxiety, insomnia, and emotional breakdowns, with many young adults between the ages of 17 and 30 affected.
The detainees are calling on the UN and human rights groups to urgently investigate the conditions at Harmondsworth, which they say have caused them “severe psychological harm.” They argue that their treatment since arriving in the UK amounts to being punished for seeking protection.
In response, a Home Office spokesperson stated that the government does not recognise the claims relating to conditions at Harmondsworth, and that the welfare of people detained in their care is of utmost importance. The spokesperson also defended the government’s “one in, one out” scheme, which aims to strike at the heart of the criminal gangs’ business model.
The report’s circulation coincides with new government powers coming into force, allowing authorities to seize mobile phones carried by people who arrive in the UK on small boats and examine them for information about people smugglers. One offence that could lead to a sentence of up to five years in jail is “collecting information that is of use to those planning an illegal crossing,” which could include checking the weather forecast to identify favourable times to cross the Channel.
Despite these measures, 2025 saw the second-highest number of small boat crossings on record, with more than 41,000 people reaching the UK. The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the number of deaths among those in northern France hoping to reach the UK was significantly lower than in 2024, despite the increase in crossings.
The first return flight to France under the “one in, one out” scheme is due on Wednesday. According to the most recent figures, 193 people have been sent to France in the first three months of the scheme, while 195 have been brought to the UK legally.