Racial Profiling in Immigration Control: The Problem with the Northern Irish Border

This article assesses how the discriminatory practice of racial profiling exists and can undermine a human rights-based system of immigration control in Northern Ireland. Post-Brexit there is a possibility that this practice may increase in Northern Ireland, given that it shares a border with another European Union (EU) State. This article will centrally argue that immigration checks which take place on an ad-hoc basis in a State should be prohibited because the risks of discriminatory practices are too high. However, if they are to take place, it will be contended that attempts to stop and question individuals for immigration checking should be subject to greater control and accountability. For example, by restricting the remit under which checks can take place, and by increasing the powers of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland ( poni ) to receive complaints concerning immigration agents. This article will explore whether enhanced surveillance of Border Force could take place by requiring agents to wear body-worn cameras in order to prevent racial profiling.