'This is as close to prison as I think it's possible to be without actually being incarcerated.'
The SDLP MP Claire Hanna has described conditions in hotels being used to accommodate asylum seekers as "close to prison".She said hotels being used as contingency accommodation for those awaiting asylum application processing was unsuitable for anything other than the short term, but that they were being used for long-term stays."This limbo period is a mental torment for people who are unable to participate properly in society," she added.
"Children and adults sharing the same small spaces and in at least one hotel, offices converted into bedrooms.The South Belfast MP accused the Northern Ireland Executive of a failure to provide what asylum seekers in Northern Ireland needed. "They all have to go to bed at the same time or lie in silence, their movements outside the hotel are restricted by time limits and distance.The DUP MP Jim Shannon spoke at the debate to say that Northern Ireland's social housing options were not of an adequate standard to move asylum seekers into in some cases.
"They've settled, they're working, they've absolute full control and ability to use the language and they're integrated in society," Mr Shannon said.Home Office Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick responded and said there was "immense pressure" on local government and devolved government to try and deal with asylum seekers needs.
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