Draft — not yet legally reviewed
I have been detained
You have the right to free legal advice in immigration detention. Ask for it straight away.
Ask the staff for the detention duty advice scheme. It is free.
Do
Ask for a lawyer and for the detention duty advice scheme.
Ask for an interpreter if you need one.
Ask for the reasons you are being held, in writing.
Write down your Home Office reference number and keep it with you.
Do not
Do not sign anything you do not understand.
Do not agree to leave the UK before you have spoken to an adviser.
Do not rely on your phone for numbers. Write them on paper too.
Help lines
Every number is written out, so you can dial it by hand or read it to someone else.
Migrant Help — Asylum helpline
0808 8010 503Free. 24 hours. For anyone in the UK asylum system.
migranthelpuk.org · checked 2026-09-18 · reviewed by audit · re-check by hand before launch
JCWI — Advice line
020 7251 8708Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. Check opening hours on their site.
jcwi.org.uk · checked 2026-09-18 · reviewed by audit · re-check by hand before launch
Detention and bail advice line
Number not verified — not shown
We only show a number once a person has checked it on the organisation’s own site.
Guidance drafted from public sources · to be reviewed by a UK immigration solicitor before launch