Danielle and Peter were taken to Yarl’s Wood in February 2008, when Peter was 10 months old. In March they were then transferred to Millbank Centre in Ashford, which has been used as an alternative to detention. After a short period at Millbank they were returned to Yarl’s Wood, where they remained until July. They now live in Birmingham.
‘They took us from our home in the middle of the night. It wasn’t the first time they tried though. The first time, we were at a friend’s house and they broke the door down to get in. After that I rang the immigration office to make an appointment for them to visit, but they refused. I didn’t hear anything until they came back a few weeks later. There were 11 of them and three cars. I don’t know if it was instinct, but I was very scared that night and wasn’t sleeping. So I heard them come to my door and let them in. The baby started to cry and I asked if I could change him, but they said I couldn’t, that I had to stay where I was. They packed my things, which meant I couldn’t take what I needed.
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