We are a national network of visitor groups to people in immigration detention.

We exist to reduce the immediate suffering of people in immigration detention and work towards a future without detention.

Support for visitors

Start here to understand the basics of the important role of visitors in immigration detention.

Support for people in detention

Start here to understand how we can support you through your time in detention.

Find visitor groups

Search our detention centre map to find your local visitor group and help support those in detention by becoming a volunteer.

Knowledge Hub

Get specific information from our extensive knowledge base covering different aspects of detention.

About AVID

We want change for people in immigration detention. See what we are doing to make this happen here.

News

Read our blogposts and statements for the latest developments in detention.

What we do

We enable and support the vital role of visitors to people who are in immigration detention whilst providing a platform for collective action amongst UK visitor groups.

Supporting our Members

We provide tailored advice and support to frontline organisations who visit people who are detained under immigration powers in the UK.

Advocacy & Policy

We confront the brutal injustice of immigration detention, exposing its inhumanity. Our advocacy fights for radical change. We demand justice for people currently and previously detained.

Members Charter

Members of the AVID network are connected by shared values in the form of a Members Charter. These values guide the way that we work with people in detention and with one another.

Explore our map

Find your local  visitor group

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Projects

Find more about our current campaigns, projects and highlights.

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Advocacy

Policy

Choose Freedom: Keep Haslar & Campsfield Closed!

We are opposed to the plans to reopen Campsfield House and Haslar Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs). The closure of these centres in 2019 and 2015 respectively was a victory for human rights. Find out how you can support efforts to keep these centres closed below.

Advocacy

Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group

Refugee Tales Festival of Walking this July

This summer, 9th-13th July, Refugee Tales are inviting people to join their Festival of Walking following the Capital Ring of London alongside evening events of tales, music and dancing to mark their 10 year anniversary and share their vision of a future without detention. Sign up to join the whole walk, for a day or two or for one of the evening talks.

News

Read our latest blogposts and updates on what we and our members are doing as well as our take on changes in immigration detention policy.

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July 2, 2025

We are Looking for Trustees

We are looking for people who have lived experience of immigration detention to join our Board of Trustees. Trustees play a vital role and we are looking to strengthen our board by welcoming people who have first-hand experience and understanding of immigration detention.

April 22, 2025

Guest Blog: The No Accommodation Network (NACCOM)

NACCOM recently joined AVID at our annual network gathering for co-ordinators to run a workshop and discuss how we can increase collaboration between our respective networks in response to an increase in homelessness and destitution amongst people leaving detention. NACCOM have written this blog to share their learnings and next steps from the workshop.

March 7, 2025

Reflections on "Supply Chain Justice: The Logistics of Border Control"

This is a book review, reflection and summary of Mary Bosworth's (Professor of Criminology at Border Criminologies) recently published book, "Supply Chain Justice: The Logistics of Border Control", written by Miranda Reilly.

February 5, 2025

Join the AVID team as Senior Network Coordinator

We are looking for someone to join our small and agile team as Senior Network Coordinator. We are looking for someone to fulfil this dynamic role.

Make a donation

We need funds to continue our work of building communities of solidarity with people in detention across the UK and advocating for a more humane system in 2024.

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