Next Picket Tues 17th Feb 10.00-11.00am
Because instead of signing at the immgration office, Those resident in Bristol without secure immigration status, are forced to sign at Trinity Rd Police Station. They do this weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Sometimes whole families have to attend. However, some of the migrants never come out after signing. This is beause immigration enforcement officers are hiding behind the desk at Trinity Rd , initially to detain those whose presence has been suddenly declared illegal in the UK. They are then either taken to a detention centre, for later removal, or in some cases, taken straight to the airport to face an uncertain future, possibly to a country where they are in danger.
On a number of occasions, people have accompanied those who are in danger of removal to the police station. We think that a large number people greatly reduces the risk that this will happen, as probably neither Avon and Somerset Police nor the British Immigration Agency want to provoke a public order situation in the middle of an area with a relatively high migrant population.
However, by our regular presence outside the Police Station we simply want to show our solidarity with all who are forced to sign their – we want to tell them they can fight deportation if they want to stay.