With the arrival of a group of individuals in Western Australia on 16 February 2024, political parties have once again begun dehumanizing people and treating them as pawns in their political games. Such cruel and inhumane policies do not reflect the values of Australians. The Edmund Rice Centre advocates for a compassionate approach to resolving this issue. We strongly oppose indefinite offshore detention. Externalizing Australia’s asylum obligations has undermined the rights of those seeking safety and protection, leading to serious harm to their physical and mental health.