Protests expected as first asylum seekers arrive at East Sussex camp

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Rajeev Syal and Diane TaylorJanuary 22, 2026 at 12:44 PM

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The Home Office has begun moving asylum seekers into a former military camp in Crowborough, East Sussex, starting with 27 men on Thursday, with plans to house up to 500. This is part of a broader government initiative to move asylum seekers out of hotels and into large-scale accommodations, aiming to reduce costs and pressures on local communities. The move has faced delays to ensure site safety and has sparked protests and legal challenges from local residents and the Wealden district council, who oppose the plan. The government maintains the accommodation has 24/7 security, CCTV, and requires strict sign-in processes, with residents having completed health and police checks. The asylum seekers are expected to be recent arrivals to the UK.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Guardian 30% Bibby Stockholm 40% James Partridge 40% Inverness 40% Alex Norris 50% Wealden district council 50% UK 60% Shabana Mahmood 60% Crowborough ×470% Home Office ×380% East Sussex ×290%

Keywords

asylum seekers 100% military camp 80% east sussex 70% protests 70% home office 60% legal challenges 60% asylum hotels 50% illegal migration 50% judicial review 40%