Let’s talk children. Imagine being a 14y/o boy seeing ur dad in prison every wk of 2yrs inside except when #COVID19 meant visits stopped. You’re excited cause he’s due out Thurs - day b4 your 15th Birthday. You’ve been planning & thinking about it 4 mths #Jamaica50 (Thread 1/7)
Lockdown & visits stopping has been so hard but your parents reassure you it’s ok cause this is the day he’ll be out, he’ll be there for your birthday. So you try to keep your head down, get to grips with online learning, keep focused. It isn’t easy. #EndDeportations (2/7)
It’s been a struggle living without your dad cause he’s been there all your life. Your parents are stressed and distraught, they are scared to tell you that your dad likely won’t be coming out for your birthday. #Jamaica50#StopDeportations#YesItsRacist (3/7)
Even worse, they don’t know how to break it to u that he could be on a flight to Jamaica & he will never be living with you again. You might, if your mum can save up enough, be able to go and visit him sometime in 2021, but who knows with #COVID19#Jamaica50 (4/7)
You won’t even be able to see your dad one last time before he goes because of #COVID19 restrictions on social visits. You were expecting your dad to be back for Christmas but that might not be happening now. #Jamaica50#EndDeportations (5/7)
This is the dilemma facing just one of the #Jamaica50 families this week. A dad desperate to keep his promise to his son and a son whose life is about to be turned upside down by @ukhomeoffice & @pritipatel - all for a single drugs offence #EndDeportations (6/7)
This isn’t just a triple punishment on those who break law - it’s the torture of children who are already surviving through the hell of #COVID19 & the ripping apart of families. @pritipatel isn’t just a bully, she heads a dept of bullying/abuse #EndDeportations#Jamaica50 (7/7)
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Spoken to 10 #Jamaica50 detainees & confirmed dets for 8 - this is who @ukhomeoffice planning 2 shackle & put on charter flight b4 Xmas at height of #COVID19 Fathers to 31 Brit children. Men who’ve been in UK most of their lives #StopCharterFlights#EndDeportations (thread 1/8)
To carry out flight, up to 20 people will be shackled with waist, hand & feet restraints w/ guard either side of them as they are forced on a plane. Because of Coronavirus restrictions they will not have been able to say goodbye to their children and families in person. (2/8)
In many families the father looked after children while partner worked; many mothers (inc several key workers) are now facing additional costs of childcare & may have to stop working. Several fathers not felt able to tell their kids about the flight cause afraid of impact (3/6)
Spent 2day following up w/ cross channel refugees detained in #Yarlswood - picture emerging of vulnerable people denied right to legal reps & contact with outside world in drive to deport as quickly as possible. Here are some of things we’ve learned... (thread 1/9) #EndDetention
Detainees being told that detention in hotels after #yarlswood will b for 14day “quarantine” - even those w/ families & addresses told they must go to hotel (we know it’s because it is easier to raid a hotel & pick everyone up at once for a charter flight) (2/9)
One detainee had asylum screening today & only after that was given list of solicitors but told he was not allowed to call them till AFTER his 14 day quarantine period #EndDetention#RefugeesWelcome#StopCharterFlights (3/9)