Non-verbal Black teenager detained by immigration

[WeDontTalkAboutBrunoNoNoNo]

I'm honestly speechless about this story. I know our immigration system is an absolute shit show at the best of times but this is crazy. If this doesn't scream systemic racism, I don't know what does

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/28/non-verbal-black-teenager-who-has-never-left-uk-detained-at-immigration-centre

It is mind-boggling! When I read a different news article I was amazed at different ways this teenager/child had been lied about and against. He could have been abroad, alone and no way back. So sad. 😔

I just don't understand it. Such a wild leap to presume his nationally and status. It isn't new for black people to be presumed criminal rather than in need of mental health support but this is insanity.

It’s just horrifying and terrifying.

For him. For his mother.

And not just them. I now have to factor in the possibility that if I should be knocked on the head or suffer a seizure, (anything rendering me incapable of speech) while outside and not carrying anything identifying, I might soon find myself locked up in an immigration detention centre.

Do we even have room in our heads for yet another threat to our freedom and well-being?

This could be one of my DC in 20 years time as they have similar difficulties. I never let them out of my sight. My heart breaks for this young person and their family, it's dehumanising and disgusting that this could happen.

That is terrifying. That poor boy. He must have been so frightened. I can't bear to think what might have happened if he'd been deported.

Well, if he’d been deported to Nigeria he’d have landed at Lagos - and the authorities there would have taken steps to identify him and find out what was supposed to happen to him. They’re neither stupid nor uncivilised.

Unlike some people in Britain.

I keep thinking about this, how far would they be able to get with identification with a young person that is non verbal and has their difficulties compounded by trauma and confusion? The only conclusion I can come to is that they would have to alert the authorities back in the UK who would then be forced to do the exact job they should have done in the first place by correctly identifying him. How much damage would then be done in the process to him and his poor family?? The whole thing makes me so bloody angry

Do we even have room in our heads for yet another threat to our freedom and well-being?

I honestly don’t 😔