Hi

I volunteer supporting asylum seekers at an Asylum Detention Centre. I am writing this anonymously, as I wish to protect my clients there and also, I have contact with Liam Byrne in that role, and dont want to prejudice any future correspondence that may reflect badly on my clients.

I recently worked with a client who, despite having 2 british children and having been here for nearly 20 years, was now judged "eligible" for deportation - he had a flight date on a sunday afternoon. On a friday afternoon, the judge ruled he still had legal rights of appeal. On Saturday afternoon, documents were faxed to immigration with the judges ruling that he should not be deported. On sunday, despite trying to contact Liam Byrne's office, the HO, Immigration Dept, the MP (who had up to that point been brilliant) and the lawyer, all of whom were off for the weekend, he was deported, because, as immigration at the airport told me, they need originals, not faxes to cancel a flight. He got deported and will never see his kids again, because it was a sunday.

Both the MP and I had been in contact with Liam Byrne two or three times each during the week preceding this. He had not responded. His office finally sent us an urgent fax..... on monday, saying there was now nothing he could do. Stalling for time, I wonder?????

I have since spoken to other volunteers, who inform me that it is more often than not the case that asylum seekers are deported on sundays.... could this be because it guarantees that there are at least 24 hours, if not 48, beforehand in which nothing can be done?????

I will not be able to take part in this particular protest, for the reasons stated above, but good luck and well done to all who do.