Lords Amendment 84 introduces a presumption that detention should in most cases last no more than 28 days. In order to detain someone for longer than this, the Home Secretary would have to gain permission from an immigration judge at the First Tier Tribunal.     It is disappointing that the amendment does not apply to people who the Home Secretary has determined will be deported, or to people who have been sentenced to prison for 12 months or longer. Nevertheless, it brings judicial oversight to the system for the first time, and while not introducing a time limit, it takes a step towards it.

Lords Amendment 85 introduces an absolute ban on the detention of pregnant women.  Last week Theresa May introduced a time limit of 72 hours, but this does not go far enough, either in the view of Sir Stephen Shaw, who called for an absolute ban in his review of the welfare of vulnerable people in detention, or in the view of organisations supporting and advocating for women in detention.   Now is the time to contact your MP and ask them to support these amendments. More details here including how to contact your MP