GOVERNMENT plans to reopen a migrant detention centre in Oxfordshire have been opposed by city councillors.

In July, the Home Office announced that Campsfield House in Kidlington, which closed in 2018, could be redeveloped in order to create a 400-bedroom immigration removal centre for men.

During a meeting on Monday (November 28), Oxford City Council voted in favour of a motion condemning the re-opening of the site.

Councillor Andrew Gant, who represents Cutteslowe & Sunnymead, said: “Campsfield closed after 25 years as a migrant detention centre in 2018 – during those years it housed an estimated 30,000 refugees who came to our shores to escape persecution, discrimination and war.

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“The closure followed campaigns from refugee support groups, local residents and many others, including the people of Oxford and this council.

“Our nation is always ready to help those in need, as indeed is our city and county – for most of those people the journey to the UK was perilous.

“These people might have come here illegally but that’s because our government makes it so difficult to come here legally – this is the principal reason places like Campsfiled exist.

“If the government wants to break the people trafficking business model they are targeting the wrong people.

“Reopening Campsfield is another backwards step.”  

Councillor Rosie Rawle, who represents Donnington, said: “People forced to flee their homes are not criminals, it is this government’s callous immigration system that is criminal – we cannot allow for Campsfield to be reopened but more than this we cannot allow for this cruel agenda to continue any longer.

“Our community has come together once before and won and we can do it again. Let’s make clear that here in Oxford refugees are welcome and no one is illegal.”

Councillor Shaista Aziz, the council’s cabinet member for inclusive communities and culture, said: “There are parallels and connections with the cost of living crisis and the scapegoating of minorities that is happening across this country, and that is being mainstreamed through our politics and our media as well.

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“I call on everybody here to ensure that we stick together and that the people of our city become braver and bolder in understanding that refugees are human beings and no person is illegal, and everyone has a right to live with dignity and hope and safety.”

The Home Office is expected to submit two planning applications in relation to Campsfield House.

If the planning applications go ahead and the site reopens, it could hold up to 400 people.

Campsfield House closed in 2018 as part of a Government policy to detain fewer people, for shorter periods, and to trial alternatives to detention. That policy has been reversed.

 

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi