Home Office Immigration Policy to be legally challenged

03 March 2006 --

The confirmation by the Home Office that the detention and immediate transportation of foreign nationals who arrive in Northern Ireland to removal centres in England will be legally challenged. 

Madden & Finucane have represented many clients who have in the past successfully applied for asylum upon entering the North. 

Peter Madden of Madden & Finucane said, " This is an outrageous decision which we are currently considering challenging by way of Judicial Review. Foreign nationals who enter the North in many cases are entitled to claim asylum under the Geneva Refugee Convention of 1951. If this policy is introduced people will be deprived of this very basic human right. They will be deprived of their right to legal advice and their right to challenge the lawfulness of their detention and their right ultimately to apply for asylum in this jurisdiction ."