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<p>Detention is an important part of a firm and fair immigration system. Those who
do not have a right to be in the UK should leave voluntarily, where they do not, we
will seek to enforce their removal. It is not possible to detain indefinitely under
immigration powers. Published statistics show the majority of people detained under
immigration powers (63%) leave detention within 28 days, with the vast majority (93%)
leaving detention within 4 months in 2014.</p><p>For detention to be lawful there
must be a realistic prospect of removal in a reasonable timeframe. What amounts to
a reasonable prospect of removal in a reasonable timeframe is a highly case specific
consideration. An arbitrary fixed time limit may lead to the release of foreign national
offenders even when deportation is imminent. Home Office published policy states that
immigration detention must only be used as a last resort and that, wherever possible,
alternatives to detention must be used. In practice, the majority of individuals liable
to be detained at any one time are not detained but are managed in the community through
the alternatives of temporary admission or bail, including the use of appropriate
reporting and residence conditions or electronic monitoring.</p>
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