The divisive practice has been used in the past to deport children to European Union countries under the so-called Dublin Regulation, whereby the UK can remove asylum seekers to their first entry point into Europe, provided it is an EU member.
Appealing the ban
Since 2004, around 450 children have been removed under the powers. But figures obtained by CYP Now under the Freedom of Information Act show numbers have dropped sharply in the past couple of years.
Just five children were deported to their first point of entry in the EU in 2010 compared with 35 in 2009 and 50 in 2008.
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has attributed the drop to a High Court ruling preventing the removal of foreign nationals given notice of less than 72 hours of removal, which stemmed from the decision last July on a case brought by Medical Justice. But it is fighting the ruling.
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