Civil news: changes to immigration advice in police stations

Individuals detained in police custody under immigration powers will have a new service to access legal advice starting on 1 June 2022.

Rollout of the Immigration Police Station Advice (IPSA) service is likely to mean more work for face to face immigration providers. IPSA will replace the existing Immigration Telephone Advice (ITA) service.

Why is this happening now?

We need to ensure there is a new service to continue helping individuals detained in police custody under immigration powers. This will replace the current ITA contract when this comes to an end on 31 May 2022.

How will the new service work?

Detainees will be entitled to call-backs under the IPSA service to help them understand:

• what may happen next

• likely detention timescales

• how to access their nearest face to face immigration solicitor

Clients will then have the option of contacting a solicitor for legal advice. They may decide to do that while still in detention or following release from police custody.

If the client has special needs, such as translation services, the operator will arrange for this in advance of the call-back.