An analysis of 20 Jamaicans detained ahead of a controversial Home Office charter flight scheduled for 18 May reveals that 13 arrived in Britain as children, according to data passed to the Guardian by the campaign group Movement for Justice. Of these, 11 were aged 12 or younger upon arrival.
The flight, the latest in a series of Jamaica deportation flights, has seen numbers decline steadily from 17 to four on the last four flights. The issue of those who arrived as children is particularly contentious; in November 2020, an agreement was reached between the Home Office and Jamaica's high commissioner not to deport those who arrived under 12, but it is unclear if such an agreement is in place for next week's flight.
The analysis also found that at least 10 of the detainees have Windrush connections, and 32 children would lose their fathers if deportations proceed, including a newborn and a one-month-old. Seventeen have lived in the UK for over 20 years, and 18 reported mental health problems. Offences among the group range from manslaughter to robbery, with sentences varying from 16 years to one year and three months.
Campaigners criticised the policy. Antonia Bright of Movement for Justice called it 'transportation not deportation', while Steve Valdez-Symonds of Amnesty International described it as 'arbitrary vindictiveness'. The Home Office defended the removals, stating it 'makes no apology for seeking to remove foreign criminals' and has removed over 10,000 since January 2019.
