Refugee groups fear changes to immigration law

REFUGEE groups last night expressed concern that asylum seekers can be held in prison for up to 21 days from Monday following changes to the law.

The Immigration Act 2003 extends the period that asylum seekers can be detained from 10 to 21 days, if they are suspected of breaking immigration laws.

The Irish Refugee Council (IRC) is concerned at the large increase in asylum-seeker detention times.