Court awards £100K to asylum seeker over wrongful detention in UK

Nadra Almas, a Pakistani asylum seeker, was awarded nearly £100,000 in compensation after claiming she was 'treated like a criminal' for overstaying her student visa. Almas, who arrived in the UK in 2004, argued that her Christian faith put her at risk of persecution if she returned to Pakistan. The High Court found that her detention in 2018 and the lengthy processing time for her refugee status violated her human rights, as she was not allowed to work, travel, or claim benefits during this period. The court highlighted 'numerous breaches' in her treatment by Home Office officials, including the failure to consider alternatives to detention. Despite the government's appeal against the compensation ruling, the court upheld the decision, emphasizing the detrimental impact on Almas's self-esteem and family life. This case illustrates ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of asylum seekers in the UK.