BID Statement on Recent Media and Social Media Attacks

In September 2025 BID received national news coverage resulting in online abuse and threatening emails.  

These attacks seek to undermine our core mission of ensuring that everyone in immigration detention can understand and access the legal rights they are entitled to under UK law. 

As a regulated legal advice charity, our work is guided by transparency, independence, and the rule of law. BID does not receive any funding or backing from the Home Office.  

We circulate our guides and resources widely, so that people without legal representation can navigate the complex detention system. 

Depriving someone of their freedom is one of the gravest actions a state can take. In the UK immigration system, decisions to detain are made without a court hearing, or automatic legal advice. There is no time limit on how long people can be detained. 

Evidence shows that the majority of people held in immigration detention do not have a lawyer, and that over 50 percent of people are ultimately released because the Home Office is unable to remove them within reasonable timeframes, making continued detention unjustified.  

No matter our skin colour, faith, income, or where we come from, everyone should be able to access legal advice and support. People in immigration detention already face immense obstacles accessing legal advice and are often denied basic legal representation. We find that serious injustices occur as a result. 

For over 25 years, BID has worked tirelessly under successive governments to provide legal advice, protect human rights, and ensure access to justice. The unprecedented criticism and threats we have received caused us to temporarily close our office and advice line to ensure the safety of our legal advice staff and volunteers. 

At this time, we have been reminded that most people in the UK stand for justice and fairness. We have been overwhelmed with support including an article published by The Guardian with reference to an open letter, signed by over 150 influential charities and legal representatives, expressing their solidarity and calling for the end of media narratives stoking division.  

BID's Director has said: 

“As a result of our work providing vital legal information to people facing deportation, we have been subject to media and social media attacks. This harassment and intimidation only highlight the importance of our work of ensuring access to justice and protecting the rights of people who need it most. We have a strengthened resolve to continue to provide our essential services and to evidence the systemic problems that exist within the UK immigration system.”