Reported by 1 source

The short version

  • Nearly one hundred minors were incorrectly identified as adults and detained under the UK-France migration scheme over a nine-month period.
  • Independent monitoring boards report severe delays in age assessments, with some individuals held for months despite policy limits of twenty-four hours for children.
  • Critics highlight inadequate health screenings and the detention of vulnerable survivors of abuse, while the government defends its border integrity measures.

A significant failure in child protection protocols has emerged within the United Kingdom’s immigration detention system, specifically concerning the controversial migration agreement with France. Independent monitors have disclosed that nearly one hundred children were wrongly identified as adults and subsequently detained under the scheme known as Operation Hillmore. This revelation underscores deep systemic flaws in how authorities assess the age and vulnerability of migrants arriving by small boat, challenging the government’s assertion that the program operates safely and efficiently.

The data was revealed in a critical correspondence from Jane Leech, interim chair of the independent monitoring boards, to Home Office minister Anna Turley. These boards are tasked with scrutinizing prisons and immigration detention facilities across the country. According to official figures cited in the letter, there were three hundred and four cases involving disputed ages between August 2025 and May 2026. Of these cases, ninety-four individuals—representing thirty-one percent of the total—were ultimately determined to be minors. This high rate of misidentification suggests that current safeguarding mechanisms are failing to prevent children from entering the detention system in the first place.

News Journal

Policy guidelines strictly prohibit the inclusion of children in this specific deportation scheme and limit the detention of unaccompanied minors to a maximum of twenty-four hours. However, the reality on the ground appears vastly different. Leech noted that some detainees were held for more than six months while awaiting deportation, far exceeding the intended timeframe of up to twenty-eight days even in exceptional circumstances. In one observed instance at Heathrow, it took forty days or more from an individual’s arrival at an immigration removal center to complete their age assessment. Such prolonged delays expose vulnerable individuals to unnecessary risk and contravene established legal protections for children.

Beyond the issue of age misidentification, the monitoring boards raised alarms about the physical and psychological well-being of those detained. Many individuals arriving under this scheme present with signs of severe psychological distress, and records indicate that a significant number are survivors of torture and abuse. Despite these vulnerabilities, health screenings at facilities like Manston have been described as inadequate. One individual was transferred to Gatwick with tuberculosis, while another was refused admission to Brook House due to critical health issues and was instead referred directly to a hospital. These incidents suggest that medical triage processes are not effectively identifying or treating serious conditions before individuals are moved between facilities.

The operational name for the initiative, Operation Hillmore, allows the UK to return certain migrants to France while accepting an equal number of people from France who have legitimate claims. Launched in August 2025, the deal was designed to process arrivals quickly and deter small boat crossings. However, the detention of individuals with serious health issues or those separated from family members contradicts the stated goal of efficient processing. Leech emphasized that separating families has a particularly damaging impact on vulnerable migrants, further complicating their integration and recovery prospects. The slow pace of assessments and the poor conditions reported by monitors stand in stark contrast to the government’s narrative of a streamlined and humane operation.

Government statistics covering the period from August 2025 to June 2026 show that one thousand and eighty-seven people were returned to France under the deal. During this same timeframe, twenty-seven thousand nine hundred and twenty individuals arrived in the UK on small boats. While the government points to these return figures as evidence of the policy’s effectiveness, critics argue that the human cost is too high. The Refugee Council described the findings as disturbing, noting that refugee children are frequently treated as adults and placed in unsafe situations. This practice exposes them to significant risks of abuse and neglect, undermining the UK’s international obligations to protect minors.

Imran Hussain, executive director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, called for immediate reform of the age assessment process. He urged the government to prioritize professional evaluations led by trained social workers, which have been proven to be the most accurate method for determining age. This approach would help avoid the safeguarding risks associated with current practices. The reliance on rapid, often superficial assessments has led to a high error rate, resulting in children being subjected to the harsh realities of adult detention centers. Advocates argue that investing in proper social work resources is essential to ensuring compliance with both domestic law and international human rights standards.

In response to the criticism, a Home Office spokesperson defended the current system, stating that robust age assessments are essential for maintaining border integrity and ensuring migrants receive appropriate services. The government indicated plans to strengthen and modernize the process, including the rollout of artificial intelligence technology next year to support age determination. However, critics remain skeptical about the ability of automated systems to replace nuanced human judgment in assessing the vulnerability and age of traumatized individuals. As the debate continues, the focus remains on whether the UK can balance its immigration control objectives with its duty of care to some of the most vulnerable people seeking refuge.

The findings from the independent monitoring boards highlight a growing tension between political goals and humanitarian responsibilities. While the government seeks to reduce small boat arrivals through deterrence and rapid removal, the implementation of these policies has resulted in significant safeguarding failures. The detention of children, survivors of abuse, and individuals with serious health conditions raises ethical and legal questions about the sustainability of the current approach. Without substantial reforms to assessment procedures and detention conditions, the UK risks further erosion of public trust and potential legal challenges regarding its treatment of migrants.

Moving forward, the pressure is on the Home Office to address these systemic issues before they escalate into broader crises. The interim chair’s letter serves as a formal warning that current practices are not only ineffective but potentially harmful. Stakeholders across the political spectrum must now consider how to reconcile border security with the fundamental rights of children and vulnerable adults. The coming months will likely see increased scrutiny of detention facilities and age assessment protocols, as advocates demand transparency and accountability in the management of migration flows.

Sources behind this briefing

Go to the original reporting