Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the Government's policy is on suspected illegal migrants being arrested in public places.

Guidance on when and how Immigration Enforcement officers may arrest suspected illegal migrants can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/537682/Arrest-and-restraint-v1.pdf

All immigration enforcement visits and operations which may involve arrest, require authorisation. Operations in public places are subject to a higher level of authorisation than other types of enforcement visit or operation and require the completion of a comprehensive risk and intelligence assessment. The nature of immigration enforcement activity means that there may be unplanned encounters as part of a planned operation. In such situations, officers will undertake a dynamic risk assessment and any action will be taken within the parameters of the guidance and the powers available to the officer.