Government Defends X-Ray Asylum Age Tests

The government has reasserted its support for using scientific methods such as x-rays and MRIs to verify the age of asylum seekers claiming to be children. Home Office minister Laura Farris said in the House of Commons on Friday that the government is “not going to abandon scientific methods for age assessment” because it is “well-evidenced,” discourages adults from misrepresenting themselves as minors, and ensures that genuine children are not treated as adults. Ms. Farris made the statement in response to questions from Andrew Western, the Labour MP for Stretford and Urmston, who had secured a debate on age-disputed asylum-seeking individuals. Mr. Western had asked the government about safeguards for asylum seekers presenting themselves as children and asked whether the Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee (AESAC) had encouraged the government to “abandon” scientific methods for assessment....