Oxford City Council Opposes Campsfield House Reopening

Oxford City Council has officially opposed the Home Office's plans to reopen Campsfield House, an immigration detention center that closed in 2018 due to severe issues such as riots and poor living conditions. The council passed a motion against the reopening, emphasizing its commitment to welcoming refugees and urging for more humane immigration policies. Despite the council's opposition, the Home Office remains intent on reopening Campsfield as part of a broader strategy to increase deportations, which has been criticized by local charities and migrant advocates. Asylum Welcome reported concerning trends of self-harm in immigration centers, highlighting the negative impact on detainees' well-being. The motion received overwhelming support from the council members, with 38 out of 40 voting in favor, indicating strong local resistance to the government's immigration policy direction. Protests from the Coalition to Keep Campsfield Closed reflect ongoing community discontent with the potential reopening of the facility.