What does it mean? To be precise, this is Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, which came into force at the beginning of the month. It means that the UK Border Agency (UKBA) is duty-bound to have regard to children's safety and welfare in the course of its work while the children are in the UK.
The Refugee Children's Consortium, whose members include The Children's Society and the Refugee Council, has campaigned for this law change for five years. In light of this victory, the consortium will now dedicate its efforts to ensuring the law brings about real change.
The legislation comes at a time of mounting concern about UKBA's treatment of children subject to immigration controls, including those seeking asylum. According to the Refugee Children's Consortium, children and their families are being held in immigration detention centres without a time limit, despite overwhelming evidence that this harms their welfare and health. Many families are living without even basic necessities including food to eat and a safe place to sleep. Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are not getting support and many are facing forced returns to their country.
How to use it: Follow the campaign's efforts to ensure that the new law has a genuine impact on the way UKBA operates.
