by Michelle Wilson
In July 2006 Michelle was detained by UK immigration at Heathrow airport for 28 hours and sent back to Australia to apply for Visa to enter the UK for one month. Whimsical Tricycle named their 2007 Adelaide Fringe show 'Around the World in 80 Hours' after her experience. 28 hours is a long time in one place. Michelle kept a record of what happened...
I arrived at Heathrow at 7 am in the morning after a 24 hour flight from Australia. Suspicions were raised at customs and immigration on account of the fact I listed my profession on my entry card as ‘nurse’. It was the beginning of a 28 hour stint in detention at Heathrow. I was questioned at length by an immigration official called Tom. They called my brother Marty in Australia to verify how long I planned to stay in the UK. In between times I was left to my own devices in a holding room where the temperature was never less than 25 degrees celsius…
12.30 PM
There were about ten people being detained in the holding room. There was one pay phone available in the room for all to use. I bought a five pound telephone card from the security guards. The detainees take turns in making short but emotional calls to family and friends. It is the only time anyone talks in the room and everyone listens in. I made a brief call to my friends to inform them not to pick me up from the airport. Telephoned reverse charges to home and finally spoke to Dad. He had been anxiously waiting for hours for me to call. I was tired, upset and frustrated. I gave a brief account of what had happened. It was comforting to hear his voice.
14.00 PM
An American woman, Teri, and her two daughters’, walk into the room. The children are aged 6 and 1 and a half years. I met them briefly at customs where Tana, the six year old had engaged in conversation with me. Tana notices me and greets me with a hug. I mind the kids whilst mum is questioned. Little Isi cried out for Mum and needed constant reassurance that she was coming back to her.
14.30 PM
Tom returns. Word is through from Immigration that my entry to UK had been denied and that I must return home on the next available flight.
I tell him that I am in the UK to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a work permit free zone for the month of August. I had no intentions of nursing. I was looking forward to a well deserved break from nursing. I even pointed at my beautifully French manicured nails, a treat by my sister to signify the end of nursing for a while. He was not interested anymore. He shrugged his shoulders. He said that if the hospital had even begun to process my work permit from my previous visit, the outcome may have been different. I feel sick to the stomach and fight back tears.
I had urgently returned to Australia in June 2005 after working in the UK for eight months to care for my dying mother. I had assumed that my permit had been processed as agreed by the hospital when I started working there in October 2004. Upon hearing that my mother had developed brain tumours, I left the country within the week. My only concern was to get home to be with her, and it never crossed my mind to establish if the work permit had gone through. My mother passed away in September 2005. Since then I had been living in Melbourne near my Dad and three siblings rebuilding a life without her. I had been looking forward to performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year to carry on her love of music. She was the one who got me to learn the violin from age seven. I wanted to carry on her legacy.
They find a flight for me departing at 21.45 tonight. I look at the only clock and start counting down the hours before I get out of this stinking hot room. There is a permanent band of sweat around my hairline and my clothes are sticky from the heat.
Tom informs me about proceedings. I must return to my place of departure. In my case it is Melbourne on the other side of the world. They are able to fly me as far as Sydney. I told him that I did not feel fit enough to be able to cope with the long flight. As a nurse, I am very aware of the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). He shrugged his shoulders again.
17.00 PM
Sweltering heat and I am dripping with sweat. Concern is mostly for the two little girls. They have misplaced their luggage, so I find an old t-shirt and tie it up to fit Tana. The guards manage to find nappies for Isi who has not been changed for hours. She is developing a rash. I feel dehydrated. I make sure I have water every 15 mins but do not need to use the bathroom very often. Teri assertively confronts the guards to get a fan or improve the unsanitary conditions of the BBR. She points to the children who are wet from perspiration. An immigration officer who was in the room at the time suggests she remove her top to cool down. The remaining detainees, of whom there were ten, glare at him and he leaves. Five minutes later, a fan is put in the room. This provided some relief. The children are automatically drawn to the breeze.
18.00 PM
I am informed by an Immigration Officer, that they cannot get me on the 21.45 flight home tonight as originally planned. I am now booked for a flight at 12.15 PM tomorrow. I look at the clock and feel emotionally and physically exhausted. She also told me that they will find a bed for me at Heathrow overnight. I will be here for another 18 hours at the very least.
TO BE CONTINUED…
I have now been here in this detention area at Heathrow Airport for six hours. I call this place the BALMY BEIGE ROOM (BBR)
RULES IN BBR
NOTE: I found this on the internet once I got home to Australia. It is from a report by the BBC about conditions in detention areas in UK airports.
"We found detainees sleeping on tables or in plastic chairs, sometimes without adequate heating, blankets or bedding. None of the facilities we inspected was suitable for overnight stays." Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers
After what happened next, I would tend to agree!
1830
Another Immigration Officer approaches me with more information. She said that there were no female beds available and that I will be detained in the BBR overnight. She looked at me with a sympathetic expression and said there was nothing they could do. I look around at the sticky bench chairs were the children had spilt drinks. She pointed out the folded blankets in a corner and suggested I make a bed. She was not aware that I had used the blankets already to cover spillages and also to use as a change table for Isi. I knew that I would not be sleeping.
I wash and redressed the kids to cool them down and make them comfortable. There are no towels available so one of my facial wipes to wash over them. Their luggage had gone missing and Teri had no supplies for the children. The guards find nappies for Isi to wear. She had been wearing the last nappy for hours now and was getting a rash. Put Tana in one of Teri’s worn t-shirts and tied a knot in the back to make it fit better. Wet and combed her hair and tied it into a neat plat using one of my hair ties from my pigtails.
Teri and I share a moment with Chai tea and Hershey’s chocolate from her bag. We did not realise it was not allowed. She also showed me a book she had on aromatherapy hoping to find answers for a rash on my face. We felt united for a moment.
I call Dad. Whilst on hold waiting for connection a song was playing I had never heard before. ‘’Last night I lost my sanity and thought I would fade away”. Weird.
2000
Security came to escort Teri and her girls to her flight back to Minnesota. Tana gave me a hugh hug and said ‘I love you. Will I ever see you again?’ That gave me a lump in my throat and I fight back tears until they were out of sight. I was pleased the children were leaving the room. This was no place for a child.
2015
Security guard approached me and told me to eat something. He said he had not seen me eat anything all this time and he was concerned. I said I would have a cigarette and think about it. I had eaten since arriving - two small packets of plain crisps to stop my stomach from churning and the kids had forced ‘power sour’ sweets into my mouth. I was distressed seeing the kids go. I believe children should not see you upset if it can be helped because they too get distressed. They had made my time bearable with games, songs and stories. So I held all my frustrations in up until now. I had a smoke to collect my thoughts and managed to nibble through half a cheese salad sandwich.
2030
Now alone in the beige room with two male security guards. There were about ten people in the BBR when I arrived this morning and they had slowly been escorted elsewhere. One older lady was permitted entry. I had assisted her with making a reverse charge phone call to her mother and comforted her after. She had been so distraught. She had been detained for about ten hours before being permitted entry. I was so happy for her. As far as I could work out, the rest had been sent home. A young guy from NYC joins me in the BBR for about 45 minutes. I teach him how to roll a cigarette to pass the time.
Called Kieran’s brother and sister in-law, Andy and Claire who live in Glasgow. They were picking Kieran up from the airport at 1240 tomorrow. I called them to keep them informed of proceedings. Kieran and I were due to stay with them for a few days to spend time with their son Michel. They made me feel better and helped me to remain focused. I am whispering on the phone aware that the guards could hear me. I tell Claire that I am afraid of sleeping with the two male guards nearby. I cannot trust anyone. I am just so exhausted. The physical and emotional strain makes me feel numb.
2130
I hear the guards talking about a passenger in the terminal who had taken ill and they were considering getting the paramedics in to tend to them. I offered my assistance, stating I had nothing else to do and that I was a nurse. They did not need me.
A new person enters the BBR. A young Asian woman who speaks very little English. She sat in a chair not far from me and stares at the drink machine. I know that feeling. She remains with me for the night. I felt better having one other detainee with me.
2300
Chair’s uncomfortable. Very restless and over tired. I cannot sleep. It will be another 12 hours before I am allowed to fly home…
2400
Teri and her children return to the BBR. I realise she was the patient that the guards had been talking about earlier. She had collapsed before boarding. She was pale, lucid, weak, and anxious. When she regained orientation, she request to be brought back to the BBR where she knew her kids would be comfortable with me. Tana races toward me and gives me a hug. Isi does the same. I check her nappy and feel her perspiring forehead. The fan is removed from room by the guards for fear of safety for children, despite children being in the room with fan earlier!
Teri surrounded by night staff trying to work out what to do with her flight. She pointed to me and said she wanted to stay with me. They decided her fiancé can pick her up and keep her in the UK for three days before flying back to the USA. He drives down from Manchester whilst we wait. This will give her and the children a little time to recover from this ordeal.
I sat next to Teri and assessed her state. She told me she felt dizzy, nauseous, and faint. She also complained of a sore shoulder possibly from when the guard tried to break her fall. I got her to sit up and put her head between her legs. Next thing was to settle her breathing with a few controlled breaths. She had done so well after such a long sleepless flight with two little children to care for.
I requested to go to my bag and pulled out my toiletries bag. I showed the guard Panadol, Tiger Balm and Bach rescue remedy. I was not allowed to give Panadol and he questioned the Bach remedy. I told him the children couldn’t overdose on it and that it was a herbal mixture great for calming anxiety attacks. I also knew that she would respond to Aromatherapy following our earlier conversation. He said I could use the rescue remedy and the tiger balm. I also found facial wipes in my bag which I used for a face washer. I placed a wet cloth on her forehead, gave a few drops of Bach rescue remedy under the tongue and a tiger balm massage to her sore left shoulder. She felt better instantly. I could see the colour returning to her face and let her lie down for a while whilst a cared for the girls.
I changed the kids’ clothes again and washed them down using the facial wipes. They were both soaked in sweat again. Teri was doing better and was lying down across the sticky seats.
I felt exhausted but couldn’t sleep so I played games with the kids. Part of me was pleased to see them again. The children helped pass the time and I was able to focus my thoughts. I initiated games with the water to entice the children to take sips. They poured water from one cup to the next and took a sip every pass. It worked a treat. To stop them from exhausting themselves, I settled them down with sitting games. I taught Tana to play ‘’ Rock Scissor Paper’ and sang songs. She had no concept of time because she had been indoors for such a long time and both girls continued to be restless. I told her how late it was in an attempt to get her to rest. I set up a bed for Tana using the blankets and lay down to demonstrate that it was time to rest. Isi eventually climbs onto her mothers belly and rests. Her eyes look heavy but still scan the room.
0200
I lay down a rested for about half an hour before sitting bolt upright wet from the heat. My month was too dry to talk and my hair was soaked again. I looked over to the children who were drenched again. I thought if I was dehydrated, then they must be too. It was my turn to be assertive towards the two guards who where both sitting in front of their individual fans in the office watching individual televisions. I told them that the conditions were not satisfactory, particularly for the children. They told me to calm down and gestured with their hands in a downwards swoop. They once again stated that they were concerned for the safety of the children with the fans in the room…despite seeing how well behaved the children where with the fan on earlier in the day. They finally agree and moved the fan back into the room. I go to the toilets to cry out of view from the children. I slid down to the floor with my back to the door and clutch my legs. I cry uncontrollably to release my frustrations. The conditions were asphyxiating, dirty and uncomfortable. You do not have to be a nurse to determine what conditions are fit for anyone to be detained in. This was not satisfactory. I felt embarrassed that I was so upset. I am rarely one to cause a fuss, but I had to stand up for the girls. I wondered how much longer I could tolerate these conditions.
0230
Still in the toilet, I hear Tana voice crying out for me. I realised Teri’s fiancé Ash, had arrived from Manchester. I splashed my face with water, blew my nose on toilet paper and take a big breath. I came out with a forced a smile for the kids. Tana was in tears and said maybe we could see each other again in the BBR. I am glad she saw it as a nice place to be. Those children had made the BBR tolerable for me for hours and it suddenly felt empty again.
I apologised to the guard for yelling at him and he understood. He agreed that conditions were poor. He led me to the smoking room to light my cigarette. I was shaking and felt delirious. I sat clutching my legs and felt numb.
0300
As I sat staring into space, it had occurred to me that I could prove I cannot possibly work in the UK as a nurse this visit. No hospital in the entire UK would consider employing you for less than 6 months…FACT! The security guards arranged for a customs officer to come down to see me straight away. I suddenly felt energised again.
From the moment the officer walked in I knew he was an ass. I told him that I would not state my case until I had eye contact and silence from him. He was not able to do either. I felt proud of my assertiveness and my calm approach. I spoke briefly and in a monotone voice, clearly knowing that he did not want to give me much time. He was standing so close I could feel his spittle on my arm. Still avoiding eye contact, he told me my case had been finalised and that was the end of that. I was being sent home for overstaying in the UK last visit when I had been working in the UK without a permit. He told me that I did not have sufficient funds to support my visit. He specified that I only had 10 pounds in my wallet. I had already provided bank records to prove I had more than sufficient funds this visit. From a previous visit, I also had 20 pounds in my wallet to purchase a rail ticket once through customs. He repeated other false statements about my case and I suggested he revise my case instead of pretending to know facts. Asshole!
0330
Have another cigarette to get over the pointless visitor. I approached the guards and asked for pen and paper. I lay down a dirty blanket for cushioning and covered it with my scarf and lie on my tummy across the chairs. With the pen and paper, I drew a picture for the kids. They had made such a difference to this detainment and I wanted to send them something in the mail. I drew a picture of the BBR with Mum, Teri and her two girls in it. The drinks machine, the laminated pictures on the wall, the fan we had fought so hard to get, the mess the kids had made on the floor etc. and made silly comments next to each drawing. I wanted to draw the BBR through the eyes of the children who did not understand what the BBR was about. When I had finished my drawing I sighed. This was no place for me to be. I spend my life caring for others and this is what I get in return. It’s so unfair. Felt alone so I telephone home and spoke to Dad again. It was about 1230 in Australia so I knew he would be awake. We chatted for a while and he explained that my younger brother Marty wanted to fly to Sydney to meet up with me and to bring me safely home after this ordeal. The thought made me choke up again but I felt better for the chat.
0400-0600
Watched the television, which was perched in the corner of the room in an enclosure. The volume was turned down and I lost interest fast. I slept for an hour and was woken by the changing of the guards. I managed to force one eye open and saw Kirk standing not far from me. He said with his English accent. ‘Blimey, you still ere? How about a get you a cuppa tea and we’ll have a cigarette. I don’t normally do this but you ‘ave been ‘ere so long. Do you want me to get you a warm breakfast? Hungry Jacks is near here.’ I smiled at the suggestion and appreciate his kindness. I do not think I could stomach Hungry Jacks! He also expressed his dislike for the way some people get treated in the BBR. Especially someone ‘as nice as you’.
We chatted about the nights events and he kept shaking his head. He had asked after the Minnesota family and I told him what I knew. I learnt more about him and his family. Married at 18, divorced at 20. Now happily married for over 20 years with two kids, one 21 the other 14. His wife had been diagnosed with leukemia a few years ago but thankfully made a full recovery after a good bone marrow donation from her brother. He told me how the experience had chilled him out a lot and he started appreciating people for what they were. He told me stories from the BBR about all sorts of detainees. One guy stuffed wads of cash down the toilet trying to hide it and blocked it up trying to flush! Another guy had set fire to himself; some had fought against the guards in pure desperation. It made the time pass and I was happy to have company again.
The cleaner joined us for a cigarette. He was a Polish immigrant who knew Kirk well. He joined us for a cigarette and told me about his life in Poland. He spoke about what he missed about being in his home land. I had never been to Poland and was fascinated to learn more about it.
After our cigarette, I watch him as he mopped the floor. He then folded the dirty blankets up and put them back in the corner. I wondered who would be needing the blankets after what we had used them for...
0930
Two guards, one male and one female, came to escort me to my flight. Kirk told them to wait whilst we had one last cigarette together. They waited patiently. We had a good chat for the time it took to have a cigarette. Just before I took the last drag on my cigarette, the female guard came into the smoking area and told me it was time to go.
The guards watched as I piled my luggage onto a trolley. They offered to assist but I declined. I wanted to ensure my luggage was stacked carefully.
I pushed my trolley through the terminal escorted by the guards to outside where a van was waiting. The first thing I noticed was the warm fresh morning air and the breeze on my face. I blink with the sunlight and look up to the clear blue sky. One of the guards, Catharine apologised as we walked through the terminal for the mode of transport they had for me, but it was all that was available…a prison van. I got put in the caged van and was locked inside. One window was left slightly open which let a slight breeze in as we drove to the other terminal. This took about fifteen minutes through tunnels and roads all over the airport. I felt lost and out of control. I thought about the life of a prisoner and the type of people who had travelled in this prison van. I shudder and take a deep breath.
1000
We walked straight through the crowded check in with my bags on a trolley and was lead by the two guards to another detainee room. The lady at the front desk greeted me with a smile. She directed me to place my luggage trolley out in the corridor. She then offered me a drink and pointed towards a drinks machine in the corner of the room. Still feeling dehydrated, I get another drink of water.
She then directed me to a door and told me to take a seat inside. This detainee room was darker, smaller and more crowded than the last. I sat in the corner of the room and took a moment to observe the other people being detained in the room. It was quiet and uncomfortable. There were two interview rooms and I watched as one of the detained ladies was directed into the one closest to me. I could hear the conversation going on inside and had a quiet chuckle as I listened to her giving ridiculous and sometime incoherent responses. At that moment I actually felt sorry for the customs officer questioning her!
There were a few magazines lying around. I picked up yesterdays newspaper which was placed on the only table in the room. I actually wished I was back in the BBR! One of the guards came into the room and shouted out my name. When I responded, I noticed all of the people in the room looked at the guard and then over to me. They told me that Kirk had phoned through to say I had left behind my scarf, and a book. I wondered how he knew it was mine. I felt important for a moment...I do not know why, I just did. I looked over to the only clock on the wall which read 1030 and assessed that my possessions would make it to me before I was lead away to make my flight. When my book and scarf arrived thirty minutes later, I realised that my drawing for the children was wedged in the pages of the book…he must have enjoyed reading that!
1115
They called out my name and I was escorted by a guard, a sweet Indian woman, who led me through the crowded airport towards the check in counter for my flight. She asked me a few questions about my day. She could see by looking at my pale face that it had been a long night. She pulled a sympathetic face. I pulled up my trolley loaded with luggage and sat on seats behind the boarding counter with her. I was the second person to board the plane. I pushed my trolley down the corridor to board. At the entrance to the final corridor, she pointed to a last minute luggage shoot. I pushed my backpack down and waited for further instruction. I looked around at the people in that small area. Those who were disabled and those with children had gathered to wait for direction.
The security woman explained that I was first on board to lessen embarrassment for me. She then directed me to the final boarding corridor gesturing with her hands. I walk a few paces behind this young boy, Jack (10yrs) who is first onto the plane and probably travelling solo. He walked confidently and I assumed that he had taken a few solo flights before.
My passport and immigration documents were handed to the captain of the aircraft by the Indian lady and she wishes ‘a safe journey’. It is explained to me by the cabin crew leader that I will not be served alcohol during the flight and that I may not be able to disembark at Singapore. Alcohol was the last thing on my mind! She spoke in a stern tone, like a school teacher. I still felt detained.
1230
My allocated seat was at the very back of the plane. I was greeted by one of the stewards with a friendly smile. I force a smile and ask if I could use the toilets to change into tracksuit pants. My pants were sticky from sweat and it was a relief to change. I took my seat and spent some time arranging my pillow, blanket and headphones. It was some time before the other passengers boarded so I decided to stand up and do some stretching at the back of the plane. My muscles felt tired and ached. It felt good to stretch.
I thought I had two seats to myself. At the very last minute a girl walked up to my row looking flustered. She placed her luggage in the overhead lockers, sat down, blew her hair away from her face and sat down.
1400
I ate my first meal in two day’s on this flight. Lamb noisette with potatoes, cheese, biscuits and fruit. Scoffed it down like a homeless person.
Up until now I have:
1500
After lunch, I got out my notebook and pen and wrote everything I could remember. I was exhausted but wanted to document all I had been through whilst it was fresh in my mind. It took me about an hour to write 15 pages. I drank a lot of water, put on my anti-embolitic stockings and fell asleep.
20th July 2006
0700
I woke up in the same position as I had fallen asleep in. It seemed as if a few hours had passed. Many had. We are now only an hour from Singapore. I stand up, crawl over the girl next to me and felt my legs collapse under me. I grabbed her chair to regain balance. My legs ached. I stood for a while and exercised.
0730
My documents were returned to me whilst in flight in a large brown Immigration envelope titled ‘Her Majesty’s Service’. Told I would be met at Singapore by customs officials and detained for the forty minute stop over. I had a look through my personal documents that were inside the envelope. Passport; plane ticket’s; bank detail’s; insurance detail’s and a letter from Immigration. I noticed that my brand new passport had one stamp in it. Heathrow, 19th July. It had a black pen crossed through it. They had pushed so hard with the pen that it tore a hole through three pages of my passport. Yet another blow!
0800
I was one of the last passengers to leave the plane and I noticed three Singapore guards (two male and one female) in the doorway waiting for me. The head steward pointed to me and they lead me through the first class exit away from the remaining passengers and through the terminal. I think they were a bit surprised and perhaps a little disappointed to see a polite young woman with pigtails as their detainee! Felt intimidated and embarrassed and fight back tears. I did what Claire (Glasgow) suggested. I pretended to be a rock star being escorted by my own body guards and walked through with my head high. I choked back tears. The guards confiscate my passport and boarding pass and lead me to the customs area. One of the male guards leaves us. I do a lot of stretching exercises whilst chatting to the two remaining guards. The flight from London to Singapore was thirteen hours long and my legs still felt heavy. The other male guard’s leaves our company, and the female guard decides to take me to the cactus garden for a cigarette. I was happy being outside again.
Whilst in the cactus garden, I saw the girl who was sitting next to me on the flight having a cigarette on the next bench seat away from me and she smiles at me. I tell the guard I would like to join her and she let me. After thirteen hours, I finally introduced myself to Natalie from Paris. She noticed how much I was writing when I first boarded the plane. She was also impressed that I could sleep for such a long time! I explained a bit to her before being escorted away again to board the flight. One of the male guards joins up with us and I am lead through the terminal. We passed a lady who dropped her visa card. I point it out to the guard and without thinking, raced over to give it to the lady. The lady was very grateful. The female guard remarked ‘You are a very nice person eh?’.
First to board again. Walked past the cues, security checks, waiting passengers and onto the flight. I felt relieved that I did not recognise any of the other passengers. The guards handed over my documents to the new captain and I returned to my seat at the back of the plane. Met Matt, the Australian steward who greeted me with a smile. He asked me if I was on holiday or if I was heading home. I gave him a brief description of what had happened over the past 24hours. He listened patiently and dropped his jaw. I finished my story by expressing my concern about the long flight and how I did not feel physically prepared. He explained to me that after a 16 hour shift (from London to Singapore) the staff have two days to recover. He was surprised that he had not been told about me. The stewards are usually informed if someone had been denied entry and sent home on their flight. I stood in front of him with pigtails still in my hair, opened my arms and said, ‘I suppose I do not look the part?’. He laughed and then shook his head and said in a sympathetic voice ‘you have had no time to recover’. I joked and said ‘They don’t make them as tough as me anymore’. He said ‘Don’t worry, we’ll look after you’.
1700
Natalie (French girl) asked me about the duty free limits in Australia. She had too many cigarettes and gave me a carton explaining that she did not want to be put in a beige room!
1800
Announcement came over the plane for Michelle Wilson to contact staff when leaving the aircraft, there was a message for me. I though it was for another bloody escort! It was a note from my Dad about a flight he had booked for me from Sydney to Melbourne departing 2230. I called him as soon as I landed in Sydney. I stood alone in a corridor for the first time.... I felt free. I walked through the terminal unaccompanied and it felt strange. Fought back tears and kept moving. At the domestic check in, they were able to get me on an earlier flight due to depart at 2030.