A Bedford charity that supports people seeking asylum has responded to a wave of social media debate following the Mayor’s comments about hotel accommodation for asylum seekers in the town.
Beyond Detention, formerly Yarl’s Wood Befrienders, released a statement clarifying the number of people currently accommodated in Bedford and calling for greater understanding of the legal right to claim asylum.
Their statement came after Bedford mayor Tom Wootton welcomed a High Court ruling that said turning an Essex hotel into long-term asylum accommodation was a breach of planning law.
The Mayor said Bedford Borough Council officers had been asked to examine whether the judgment could help challenge similar hotel use locally.
Read: Bedford Borough Mayor hints at legal action against asylum seeker hotels
Beyond Detention said: “There is only one hotel in Bedford that is being used for people seeking asylum. There are currently 127 people accommodated, and it’s used for families and single adult females, with almost half of the residents being children under 18.”
The charity said a monthly multi-agency meeting is held involving Bedford Borough Council officers, the police, health services, the Home Office, and the accommodation provider to monitor the situation.
“If there are any issues, they are actioned and resolved,” the charity said.
Read: Immigration explained: Migrants, refugees, and visas defined (BBC)
Responding to confusion around the legality of asylum claims, the charity added: “The right to seek asylum is a legal right we all share. It isn’t illegal to seek asylum, because seeking asylum is a legal process.”
They also addressed claims that asylum seekers must apply in the first safe country they reach: “Neither the 1951 Refugee Convention, nor EU law requires a person to claim asylum in the first safe country they reach.”
Read: The Myth of the ‘Illegal’ Asylum Seeker (Lancaster University)
Reasons for seeking asylum in the UK, the charity said, vary. “Some people wish to come to the UK because they have family or other personal connections.
“For others, they may speak English and believe that will help them to integrate, including making it easier to find work or navigate complex legal systems.”
Beyond Detention supports people detained in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), as well as those living in the community post-detention.
The organisation offers emotional and practical support, links to local services, and online courses including ESOL and wellbeing.
Their intervention follows a public Facebook post by Mayor Wootton, which attracted both support and criticism.
