Immigrants

Summary

The requester asked if the Palace Hotel and Sefton Hotel were housing legal or illegal immigrants. The Cabinet Office responded by providing a media statement confirming that the Isle of Man cannot process UK asylum applications or house individuals awaiting UK immigration decisions.

Key Facts

• The Isle of Man Government dismissed rumors that people awaiting UK immigration outcomes are being held in local hotels.
• The Isle of Man has its own Immigration Rules and cannot process asylum applications.
• The Isle of Man cannot house individuals who are in the UK awaiting a decision on their refugee status.
• A UK contracting firm approached the Isle of Man for such services but was informed of the legal restrictions.
• The firm was instructed to remove the Isle of Man from their contact lists.

Data Disclosed

• 12 May 2025
• 20 May 2025
• 1 May 2025
• 4647853
• IM1 3PN
• 01624 686244

Original Request

"Please confirm if the Palace Hotel and Sefton Hotel are housing either legal or illegal immigrants."

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244
Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 4647853 20 May 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 12 May 2025, which states:

"Please confirm if the Palace Hotel and Sefton Hotel are housing either legal or illegal immigrants. "

Please find below the information requested, which was issued as a media statement provided by an Isle of Man Government spokesperson on 1 May 2025:

“The Isle of Man Government wishes to dismiss rumours circulating online suggesting people awaiting the outcome of UK immigration cases are being held at particular Isle of Man hotels for long-term stays pending processing in the UK.

The Isle of Man has its own Immigration Rules and, due to its relationship with the UK, cannot process asylum applications, nor can it house those who are in the UK awaiting a decision on their refugee status.

The Isle of Man Government is aware that at least one approach has been made by a UK contracting firm looking for availability for these types of services. They were duly informed of the rules outlined above, and that the Isle of Man should be removed from any of their contact lists.”

Please quote the reference number 4647853 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;

1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
   In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.
   I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely