What is the SNP position on immigration detention?

Some of the practices employed at the Dungavel detention centre in Scotland, including the detention of children – have been absolutely shameful and show why we need a new direction when it comes to asylum and immigration policy.

We need a new approach which prioritises compassion and fairness over punishment and isolation – helping those who seek asylum to more easily integrate into our communities and allowing our national life to benefit from their skills and their culture.

SNP MPs will continue to press the UK government to limit immigration detention to 28 days. No other European country has indefinite detention. We continue to oppose the detention of children and vulnerable people, including pregnant women and people with mental illnesses. We will also continue to call for the UK government to pursue alternatives to detention.