Last minute claims to be a victim of human trafficking or modern slavery
Last updated 23/09/2021
When removal directions are due to be carried out on an individual and they make a late claim to be a victim of modern slavery, the Home Office must carefully consider the claim.
Where removal directions are set and imminent, you must follow existing procedures and refer the case to the operational support and certification unit (OSCU) who:
- act as the Competent Authority
- respond to the claimant or their legal representative
If the OSCU Competent Authority considers there are reasonable grounds to believe the claimant is a potential victim of human trafficking or modern slavery, they:
- defer removal directions
- issue the reasonable grounds decision
- refer the case to the most appropriate Competent Authority to make the conclusive decision