From Borders to Cells: The Evolution of British Immigration Detention, 1905-1970

This research paper examines the historical development of immigration detention in the UK, tracing its roots back to the Aliens Act of 1905. It highlights how wartime internments, particularly during WWI and WWII, normalized the detention of foreign nationals. The paper then explores the impact of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Samuel Malby
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Université de Poitiers 2025-05-01
Series:Cahiers du MIMMOC
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Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/mimmoc/12646
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Summary:This research paper examines the historical development of immigration detention in the UK, tracing its roots back to the Aliens Act of 1905. It highlights how wartime internments, particularly during WWI and WWII, normalized the detention of foreign nationals. The paper then explores the impact of decolonization and the subsequent Commonwealth Immigrants Acts of 1962 and 1968, which aimed to restrict immigration from former colonies, despite initial opposition from some within the Conservative Party. The 1968 Act significantly impacted Commonwealth citizens' rights, leading to increased detentions. The paper concludes by discussing the 1971 Immigration Act, which established the legal framework for the modern detention system, although the actual number of detainees remained relatively low until the 1980s.
ISSN:1951-6789