BritCits member Andy interviewed at around 2:07:00 here :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01txqp8
Andy's story :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/andy-my-poor-boys.html
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/molly
Showing posts with label andy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label andy. Show all posts
Saturday, 5 April 2014
Thursday, 15 August 2013
The families separated by the government.
http://www.channel4.com/news/the-families-separated-by-the-government
An excellent piece by Channel 4. Featuring two BritCits - Andy ( http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/andy-my-poor-boys.html ) and Christopher ( http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/christopher ) - plus Saira Grant of JCWI ( http://www.jcwi.org.uk/ ) - on Channel 4 News.
'Last year, I met Andy Russell and his two little boys Dylan, aged 6, and Devon, 4. The new immigration rules forced their mother Molly to return to China while Andy searched for work - a job which would pay at least £18,600 - the minimum earnings threshold for his wife to be allowed to stay. (Previous media piece on Andy : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/a-good-day.html ).
'He told me: "The emotional cost you cannot put a price on. When Molly first left, devon just cried, he'd spent every day and night with his mum and suddenly he had nothing"
'They were forced to communicate through Skype and Molly became known as "computer mummy".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhHpaq4KBxY
'... Chris Reed is still waiting even though an immigration tribunal ruled in his favour.
'At the age of 63 he works 45 hours a week caring for the elderly. He's £17 a week short of that annual £18,600 figure.
'It's not enough to bring his Kenyan wife to Britain, even though he has a rent-free home and no mortgage.
'At the tribunal, the Home Office - which is in the process of defying legal attempts to amend the rules and lower the financial bar - contested that thousands of pounds in premium bonds did not amount to savings and suggested that Mr Reed simply move to Mombasa.
'Chris told us:"I was dumbfounded it should even be an option, that as a British citizen I should be asked to uproot and leave my family behind just because I had fallen in love with someone who doesn't come from the EU."
'The judge agreed, saying: "I do not accept it is reasonable to expect a British citizen to live in Kenya. It would deprive him of of the benefits of his British citizenship."'
‘No free man shall be arrested, imprisoned, dispossessed, outlawed, exiled or in any way victimised, or attacked except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land’ - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta
http://www.channel4.com/news/the-families-separated-by-the-government
An excellent piece by Channel 4. Featuring two BritCits - Andy ( http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/andy-my-poor-boys.html ) and Christopher ( http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/christopher ) - plus Saira Grant of JCWI ( http://www.jcwi.org.uk/ ) - on Channel 4 News.
'Last year, I met Andy Russell and his two little boys Dylan, aged 6, and Devon, 4. The new immigration rules forced their mother Molly to return to China while Andy searched for work - a job which would pay at least £18,600 - the minimum earnings threshold for his wife to be allowed to stay. (Previous media piece on Andy : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/a-good-day.html ).
'He told me: "The emotional cost you cannot put a price on. When Molly first left, devon just cried, he'd spent every day and night with his mum and suddenly he had nothing"
'They were forced to communicate through Skype and Molly became known as "computer mummy".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhHpaq4KBxY
'... Chris Reed is still waiting even though an immigration tribunal ruled in his favour.
'At the age of 63 he works 45 hours a week caring for the elderly. He's £17 a week short of that annual £18,600 figure.
'It's not enough to bring his Kenyan wife to Britain, even though he has a rent-free home and no mortgage.
'At the tribunal, the Home Office - which is in the process of defying legal attempts to amend the rules and lower the financial bar - contested that thousands of pounds in premium bonds did not amount to savings and suggested that Mr Reed simply move to Mombasa.
'Chris told us:"I was dumbfounded it should even be an option, that as a British citizen I should be asked to uproot and leave my family behind just because I had fallen in love with someone who doesn't come from the EU."
'The judge agreed, saying: "I do not accept it is reasonable to expect a British citizen to live in Kenya. It would deprive him of of the benefits of his British citizenship."'
‘No free man shall be arrested, imprisoned, dispossessed, outlawed, exiled or in any way victimised, or attacked except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land’ - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta
Andy in action.
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Good news
Facebook message says it all :
Andy Russell's period as an enforced single dad ends next Tuesday (August 14th). I had hoped someone with a steady hand would be there to take pictures and better yet, video, and I got my wish. Channel 4 news will interview him and the boys on Monday and they will be at the airport to capture the reunion, showing it on their early evening news broadcast that day.
Andy : Molly Mei... make sure you pack your hair brush because Channel 4 News cameras will be filming your arrival at Heathrow airport next Tuesday.
Andy was one of BritCits' very first 'clients' :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/andy-my-poor-boys.html
Married for 6 years, has 2 children with his wife, Molly. Doesn’t meet the income criteria, so having to be a single parent. A new job which would satisfy the income criteria means he is travelling a lot and therefore unable to live with his kids. What does this mean? A British husband apart from his wife and children. British children forced to live apart from their mummy and daddy...
British citizen, Andy, has been happily married for six years, and he and his Chinese wife have been patiently waiting for him to find the golden job paying £18,600 so that they can once again be reunited as a family.
Andy met his wife while teaching English in China. They have two lovely sons - Dylan and Devon. Andy returned to the UK, hoping to bring his wife with him, then fell victim to the very sudden, very draconian rule change.
Andy made a video about his family's situation - 'Skype Mummy' - which has been acclaimed :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhHpaq4KBxY
Situation now : Andy is now earning the required income. He's had to go through huge heartache and upheaval to achieve this - effectively travelling around the country to meet it, and leaving his two sons with their grandparents - Andy's parents - to care for them. Dylan and Devon have seen very little stability in their young lives. And this has created huge strains in the family, as they have all been through so much.
Naturally, the whole process to get the visa was onerous as well, with many paperwork requirements that weren't obvious. (A couple of months ago I was getting emails from Andy while I was on a train between Germany and Belgium, asking for help on the forms for the accommodation requirement - and the evidence he needs to produce!).
Nevertheless, Andy meets the income requirement, Molly got her visa, and the family will be reunited in a few days. So this is a success story - but huge obstacles had to be overcome to get here.
Nevertheless - this gives hope for divided families. More and more families are reuniting despite the obstacles being put in their way because it's not possible for any government to deny such a fundamental human need.
And this is why the rules will fail.
Facebook message says it all :
Andy Russell's period as an enforced single dad ends next Tuesday (August 14th). I had hoped someone with a steady hand would be there to take pictures and better yet, video, and I got my wish. Channel 4 news will interview him and the boys on Monday and they will be at the airport to capture the reunion, showing it on their early evening news broadcast that day.
Andy : Molly Mei... make sure you pack your hair brush because Channel 4 News cameras will be filming your arrival at Heathrow airport next Tuesday.
Andy was one of BritCits' very first 'clients' :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/andy-my-poor-boys.html
Married for 6 years, has 2 children with his wife, Molly. Doesn’t meet the income criteria, so having to be a single parent. A new job which would satisfy the income criteria means he is travelling a lot and therefore unable to live with his kids. What does this mean? A British husband apart from his wife and children. British children forced to live apart from their mummy and daddy...
British citizen, Andy, has been happily married for six years, and he and his Chinese wife have been patiently waiting for him to find the golden job paying £18,600 so that they can once again be reunited as a family.
Andy met his wife while teaching English in China. They have two lovely sons - Dylan and Devon. Andy returned to the UK, hoping to bring his wife with him, then fell victim to the very sudden, very draconian rule change.
Andy made a video about his family's situation - 'Skype Mummy' - which has been acclaimed :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhHpaq4KBxY
Situation now : Andy is now earning the required income. He's had to go through huge heartache and upheaval to achieve this - effectively travelling around the country to meet it, and leaving his two sons with their grandparents - Andy's parents - to care for them. Dylan and Devon have seen very little stability in their young lives. And this has created huge strains in the family, as they have all been through so much.
Naturally, the whole process to get the visa was onerous as well, with many paperwork requirements that weren't obvious. (A couple of months ago I was getting emails from Andy while I was on a train between Germany and Belgium, asking for help on the forms for the accommodation requirement - and the evidence he needs to produce!).
Nevertheless, Andy meets the income requirement, Molly got her visa, and the family will be reunited in a few days. So this is a success story - but huge obstacles had to be overcome to get here.
Nevertheless - this gives hope for divided families. More and more families are reuniting despite the obstacles being put in their way because it's not possible for any government to deny such a fundamental human need.
And this is why the rules will fail.
Thursday, 24 January 2013
A good day.
A very busy day for us today, with a number of our supporters making media appearances. It is very encouraging to see this story finally gaining traction.
The story of the ongoing tragedy of divided families, coupled with the farce of kafkaesque governmental bureaucracy, will not go away.
We will do our best to summarise, along with the usual links :-
---
John Vine's report on marriage visa backlog.
http://icinspector.independent.gov.uk/decisions-in-marriage-applications-are-reasonable-but-chief-inspector-raises-concerns-about-backlogs-and-a-lack-of-consideration-of-the-best-interests-of-children/
'However, once again I was concerned to find backlogs within the Agency. These consisted of 14,000 requests from applicants to re-consider decisions to refuse them further leave to remain, and a further 2,100 cases where people were awaiting an initial decision on their application for further leave to remain. Some dated back nearly a decade. This is completely unacceptable and I expect the Agency to deal with both types of case as a matter of urgency.
'Immigration decisions can have a significant impact on children. My inspection could find no evidence in the files that specific consideration was given to the best interests of children in 59 of the 60 cases where children were involved. In addition, I found that caseworkers in the UK routinely considered Human Rights, but this rarely happened when the application was made overseas.'
More - http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/23/inspector-uk-border-agency-backlog
---
UKBA backlog: Couple's story.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21178405
'A report has revealed a significant backlog in the UK Border agency's dealing with marriage and civil partnership immigration applications.
'The findings from the Chief Inspector for Borders and Immigration revealed 14,000 requests from applicants to re-consider decisions and 2,100 cases where people were awaiting an initial decision, some of them dating back a decade.
'Gerard Hearne, from Rotherham, explained that he has been waiting for a visa for his Thai wife for nearly ten months. '
This story concerns http://www.britcits.com supporter Gerard Hearne, his wife, and the hoops they have had to jump through. (I may be over-using the word 'kafkaesque' somewhat, but it seems strangely appropriate).
Listen to Gerard on the BBC Today Programme, starting at 02:10:00 :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01q02mm/Today_24_01_2013/
Gerard on Twitter : https://twitter.com/gphearne
---
Inspector uncovers huge UKBA immigrant backlog.
http://www.channel4.com/news/inspector-uncovers-huge-ukba-immigrant-backlog
Another BritCits supporter Andy (who we have mentioned before - http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/andy ) and his situation, on Channel 4 news.
Skype Mummy : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhHpaq4KBxY
Andy on Twitter : https://twitter.com/andyrussellshao
---
UKBA: Your stories.
http://m.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2013/jan/24/uk-border-agency-your-stories
'Guardian readers share their stories and experiences of dealing with the UK Border Agency in seeking permission to stay in Britain for themselves or their partners '
Everyone gets to have their say!
---
Very good coverage of the UKBA backlog also on the BBC Asian Network : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pt525
'Immigration inspectors uncover thousands of cases yet to be dealt with by the UK Border Agency, plus the ancient Kathak dance form inspiring a new generation of British Asians.'
Via https://twitter.com/jcwinews
---
https://twitter.com/Channel4News tweets -
Immigration has yr passport but wont process it; retrieve it & go to the back of the queue - Kafka? no, Britain today: http://bit.ly/W1U0Gc
https://twitter.com/ZrileB tweets -
#bbcr4 John Humphrys cried 'you could not make it up' 'these are peoples lives we are talking about, #UKBAshambles http://bbc.in/SGiFzi
---
Expat or immigrant? A personal reflection.
http://thebookisonthetable.me/2012/12/20/expat-or-immigrant/
---
UKBA refuse to remove overstayers.
http://www.freemovement.org.uk/2013/01/24/ukba-refuse-to-remove-overstayers/
---
Refugee children and family unity.
http://jcwi.org.uk/blog/2013/01/23/refugee-children-and-family-unity
'Regular readers of this blog won’t need to have been blessed with the sharpest observational skills to notice our passion for family unity. Our key campaign is centred on cross-border couples who are partly rooted in the UK. JCWI views immigration policy and law from a human rights based starting point, and the right to family life is enshrined in the UN Declaration of Human Rights and, of course, The European Convention on Human Rights.'
From our good friends at the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.
---
Virtual solidarity with Ivo Kuka.
http://ncadc.org.uk/campaigns/ivo/
'... 'Let down by the fast-track detention system and his previous solicitors, Ivo has now been given the chance to appeal his asylum refusal, having already been threatened with removal. You can attend a virtual vigil on the day of his appeal (Monday 28 January) to show solidarity with Ivo in his fight for justice. '
Via https://twitter.com/ncadc
---
Migrant Chinese workers dance Gangnam style over unpaid wages.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/23/chinese-workers-gangnam-style-protest
---
In pictures: Vienna Votivkirche asylum-seeker protest.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21179674
---
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Today's links
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration ( https://twitter.com/APPGMigration ) tweets :
'There's been a massive rush in the last week to submit evidence to our family migration campaign. Have you submitted?' http://www.appgmigration.org.uk/family-inquiry
For those affected by the rules - this is a really important initiative. It's your chance to get your story out to parliamentarians who are representing us, so that they can represent us better!
Here's why : http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2013/01/first-thing-do-year-respond-appg-family-migration-inquiry
---
How the government breaks up British families.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/comment/talking-politics/government-breaks-british-families-120449742.html
An article about one Andy (who we have written about before : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/andy ) makes it onto Yahoo News.
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/andy-my-poor-boys.html
---
One of our Freedom of Information requests has got a response. Although, unsurprisingly, it needs further clarification as the numbers don't add up.
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/non_eu_spouses_of_british_citize
'Please advice on the following, in relation to non-EU spouses of
British citizens and the new 'rules' brought in with effect from
9th July:
'a) How many non-EU spouses have applied for a spouse visa since 9th
July 2012 under the new rules (not 8th July, 9th July)
'b) Of the total number of non-EU spouses who have applied for a
spouse visa since 9th July 2012 under the new rules,
how many, by a date specified by you in your response, have been i)
approved ii)refused and iii) are pending?'
---
Debating the foundations for the new mainstream consensus on migration policy.
http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2013/01/debating-foundations-new-mainstream-consensus-migration-policy
'...Everyone concerned with developing a frank, informed discussion on this topic should welcome the start that IPPR has made with this paper. Whether or not the invitation to contribute to debate on these points is taken up by those operating in the political mainstream, it has the potential to operate as an ethical check-list for others who are putting forward their viewpoints on what needs to be done to ensure that policy is fair and democratic....'
---
https://twitter.com/IanAustinMP tweets: 'Interesting stat-fact from Roland Rudd: less than 0.06% of Poles who came to Britain claimed benefits '
---
The Real UK Citizenship Test : http://realcitizenshiptest.co.uk/quiz.php?n=1
- Applause?
- Offer help cleaning up?'
Via https://twitter.com/SalCardiff
---
Ex-Windsor based soldier hands back medals.
http://www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2013/01/18/85946-exwindsorbased-soldier-hands-back-medals/
'In a letter to Prince Charles explaining his decision, Mr Balewai stated: "I feel I can no longer accept my medals. I received them with honour and with great sadness they have now become meaningless." After leaving the Army in June, the father of two British-born children was denied British Citizenship by the UK Border Agency because of an Army conviction recorded by his Commanding Officer in April 2011, which served as a warning following a fight with a fellow soldier. '
Background on this from a few months ago : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18940236 . Very happy that this campaign got a positive result.
Isimeli Baleiwai's Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/280555062052017/?ref=ts&fref=ts
---
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration ( https://twitter.com/APPGMigration ) tweets :
'There's been a massive rush in the last week to submit evidence to our family migration campaign. Have you submitted?' http://www.appgmigration.org.uk/family-inquiry
For those affected by the rules - this is a really important initiative. It's your chance to get your story out to parliamentarians who are representing us, so that they can represent us better!
Here's why : http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2013/01/first-thing-do-year-respond-appg-family-migration-inquiry
---
How the government breaks up British families.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/comment/talking-politics/government-breaks-british-families-120449742.html
An article about one Andy (who we have written about before : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/andy ) makes it onto Yahoo News.
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/andy-my-poor-boys.html
---
One of our Freedom of Information requests has got a response. Although, unsurprisingly, it needs further clarification as the numbers don't add up.
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/non_eu_spouses_of_british_citize
'Please advice on the following, in relation to non-EU spouses of
British citizens and the new 'rules' brought in with effect from
9th July:
'a) How many non-EU spouses have applied for a spouse visa since 9th
July 2012 under the new rules (not 8th July, 9th July)
'b) Of the total number of non-EU spouses who have applied for a
spouse visa since 9th July 2012 under the new rules,
how many, by a date specified by you in your response, have been i)
approved ii)refused and iii) are pending?'
---
Debating the foundations for the new mainstream consensus on migration policy.
http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2013/01/debating-foundations-new-mainstream-consensus-migration-policy
'...Everyone concerned with developing a frank, informed discussion on this topic should welcome the start that IPPR has made with this paper. Whether or not the invitation to contribute to debate on these points is taken up by those operating in the political mainstream, it has the potential to operate as an ethical check-list for others who are putting forward their viewpoints on what needs to be done to ensure that policy is fair and democratic....'
---
https://twitter.com/IanAustinMP tweets: 'Interesting stat-fact from Roland Rudd: less than 0.06% of Poles who came to Britain claimed benefits '
---
The Real UK Citizenship Test : http://realcitizenshiptest.co.uk/quiz.php?n=1
'What is the correct response when someone drops a tray in the middle of a canteen?
- Laughter?- Applause?
- Offer help cleaning up?'
Via https://twitter.com/SalCardiff
---
Ex-Windsor based soldier hands back medals.
http://www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2013/01/18/85946-exwindsorbased-soldier-hands-back-medals/
'In a letter to Prince Charles explaining his decision, Mr Balewai stated: "I feel I can no longer accept my medals. I received them with honour and with great sadness they have now become meaningless." After leaving the Army in June, the father of two British-born children was denied British Citizenship by the UK Border Agency because of an Army conviction recorded by his Commanding Officer in April 2011, which served as a warning following a fight with a fellow soldier. '
Background on this from a few months ago : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18940236 . Very happy that this campaign got a positive result.
Isimeli Baleiwai's Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/280555062052017/?ref=ts&fref=ts
---
Friday, 18 January 2013
Friday links
How the government breaks up British families - a fine piece by Ian Dunt of http://politics.co.uk
http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2013/01/18/comment-how-the-government-breaks-up-british-families
The story of Andy, also featured here : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/andy-my-poor-boys.html
'This is the story of Andy, a man who has had his family torn apart by the government. Despite being a British citizen, Andy didn't make enough money to be able to live with his wife, so his children had to be separated from their parents. It's not really a story about Andy – it's about us and the kind of country we want to live in, but Andy's story typifies it pretty well...'
You can follow Ian here : https://twitter.com/IanDunt
I have to say, I think this is one of the best pieces on the human impact of the immigration rules on family life so far. Thanks Ian.
---
Editorial: Stop all the demonising of new EU migrants
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/editorial-stop-all-the-demonising-of-new-eu-migrants-8456428.html
---
'Given that most of us failed the on-line British Citizen test, let's make up our own questions about what it's like to be British?
(165 Posts)'
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1661032-Given-that-most-of-us-failed-the-on-line-British-Citizen-test-lets-make-up-our-own-q
A fun thread at Mumsnet. Thanks to https://twitter.com/SalCardiff for the link.
'What is a snakebite (tick all that apply)?
- A bite from a snake.
- A mixture of cider and lager
- A flaming from a nest of vipers '
---
Not stricly immigration related, but I am a bit of a fan of the 'Questionable Time' blog :
http://questionabletime.com/2013/01/18/questionable-time-48/
'I’m a little gutted that Nigel Farage is finally growing up…'
---
How the government breaks up British families - a fine piece by Ian Dunt of http://politics.co.uk
http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2013/01/18/comment-how-the-government-breaks-up-british-families
The story of Andy, also featured here : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/andy-my-poor-boys.html
'This is the story of Andy, a man who has had his family torn apart by the government. Despite being a British citizen, Andy didn't make enough money to be able to live with his wife, so his children had to be separated from their parents. It's not really a story about Andy – it's about us and the kind of country we want to live in, but Andy's story typifies it pretty well...'
You can follow Ian here : https://twitter.com/IanDunt
I have to say, I think this is one of the best pieces on the human impact of the immigration rules on family life so far. Thanks Ian.
---
Editorial: Stop all the demonising of new EU migrants
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/editorial-stop-all-the-demonising-of-new-eu-migrants-8456428.html
---
'Given that most of us failed the on-line British Citizen test, let's make up our own questions about what it's like to be British?
(165 Posts)'
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1661032-Given-that-most-of-us-failed-the-on-line-British-Citizen-test-lets-make-up-our-own-q
A fun thread at Mumsnet. Thanks to https://twitter.com/SalCardiff for the link.
'What is a snakebite (tick all that apply)?
- A bite from a snake.
- A mixture of cider and lager
- A flaming from a nest of vipers '
---
Not stricly immigration related, but I am a bit of a fan of the 'Questionable Time' blog :
http://questionabletime.com/2013/01/18/questionable-time-48/
'I’m a little gutted that Nigel Farage is finally growing up…'
---
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Andy
“My poor boys. First their mummy leaves them and now their daddy. They don't deserve this.”
Situation: Married for 6 years, has 2 children with his wife, Molly. Doesn’t meet the income criteria,
so having to be a single parent. A new job which would satisfy the income criteria means he is
travelling a lot and therefore unable to live with his kids. What does this mean? A British husband
apart from his wife and children. British children forced to live apart from their mummy and daddy...
British citizen, Andy, has been happily married for six years, and he and his Chinese wife have been
patiently waiting for him to find the golden job paying £18,600 so that they can once again be reunited as a family.
This has proven to be extremely difficult, despite his qualifications and experience, and so this law abiding and devoted couple have been forced to separate, leaving Andy to act as a single parent to their two infant children in Somerset. There are no words to fully convey the stress this family has been under, with Andy trying to find a well-paid job that will, hopefully, reunite his family.
During Molly’s last visit Andy wrote to MP David Laws asking if there was any way he could help extend Molly’s stay, because Andy stood more chance of finding a high-paying job if she were here looking after the children. David did not reply and so Molly returned to China, rather than overstay her visa.
Two weeks later Andy received a letter from Mark Harper, Minister for Immigration, claiming
categorically that Molly had attempted to deceive the UKBA by visiting her husband and children: ‘If the immigration officer at the port of entry had known this, she would have been refused entry on this basis’. This is because apparently she should have applied for a spouse visa rather than a visitor visa; however, at that time, they were genuinely only intending to visit for a family reunion as Andy’s brother was visiting the UK at that time with his Canadian wife and their newborn daughter.
Despite leaving UK within the six months allowed under a visitor visa, by applying as a visitor rather than a spouse, according to Mark Harper, Molly ‘deceived’ the UK Border Agency, and this alleged deception means that she cannot visit UK for ten years, even though she has proved she is not an 'over-stayer'. David Laws confirmed that Harper's stamp of deception would remain in Molly’s file, leaving this poor couple to face the reality that they would remain separated unless and until Andy could find a high paying job.
They all miss each other so much and while there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel, with Andy receiving a job offer paying over the threshold (which should in theory qualify him to sponsor Molly six months down the line), it raises location and their children as major issues. So, the family faces further heartbreak over the next six months.
The job is in Cornwall, 3 hours away from home in Somerset where the boys are settled in school and
playgroup. As his job involves travelling, Andy would need a live-in child-carer. He can’t cope with the thought of another person taking the place of his sweetheart and the children's mummy – another woman the kids would be looking up to as a mum.
Taking everything into account they have decided that the boys should stay with their grandparents
temporarily, while Andy is working and until a better solution can be found. Andy will see them as many weekends as possible, but he won't be able to spend the school holidays with them, read them a bedtime story, tuck them into bed or be there to soothe away any nightmares.
Andy’s job began in late October and so, exactly six months later, on his eldest child’s sixth birthday, the couple believes they should qualify to begin the application process for a spouse visa. By this time the family will have spent nearly 8 months apart; including Christmas, and all their birthdays.
Update 23.12
The children have already stopped attempting to speak Chinese and it breaks Andy’s heart that his kids are losing their heritage and that memories are being created without their mother being a part of them.
If Molly was here, they’d be moving to Cornwall together, as a strong happy family, but instead they’re being split up in a scenario reminiscent of Australia’s Stolen Generation ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Generations ) – a disastrous episode in that
country's history. Have we learnt nothing from past mistakes?
Andy is tired and desperately sad, yet somehow finding the energy to stay strong.
“I miss my wife so much and feel so heartbroken for her having to explain to friends, family,
neighbours and colleagues, why she cannot be with her loving husband and sweet little boys. She’s so
brave, so patient and trusting that someday we’ll be reunited. I’m so very proud of her.”
Who with a modicum of decency could break up this family? British MPs could and therefore do.
Andy’s family: wife Molly, and their sons, Dylan and Devon, the night before Molly left the UK.
With the 8 hour time difference the boys only get to Skype their mummy at weekends. A clearly
demoralised Andy says: “Devon (3) now calls us ‘Computer Mummy and Daddy’”.
Skype Mummy : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhHpaq4KBxY
“My poor boys. First their mummy leaves them and now their daddy. They don't deserve this.”
Situation: Married for 6 years, has 2 children with his wife, Molly. Doesn’t meet the income criteria,
so having to be a single parent. A new job which would satisfy the income criteria means he is
travelling a lot and therefore unable to live with his kids. What does this mean? A British husband
apart from his wife and children. British children forced to live apart from their mummy and daddy...
British citizen, Andy, has been happily married for six years, and he and his Chinese wife have been
patiently waiting for him to find the golden job paying £18,600 so that they can once again be reunited as a family.
This has proven to be extremely difficult, despite his qualifications and experience, and so this law abiding and devoted couple have been forced to separate, leaving Andy to act as a single parent to their two infant children in Somerset. There are no words to fully convey the stress this family has been under, with Andy trying to find a well-paid job that will, hopefully, reunite his family.
During Molly’s last visit Andy wrote to MP David Laws asking if there was any way he could help extend Molly’s stay, because Andy stood more chance of finding a high-paying job if she were here looking after the children. David did not reply and so Molly returned to China, rather than overstay her visa.
Two weeks later Andy received a letter from Mark Harper, Minister for Immigration, claiming
categorically that Molly had attempted to deceive the UKBA by visiting her husband and children: ‘If the immigration officer at the port of entry had known this, she would have been refused entry on this basis’. This is because apparently she should have applied for a spouse visa rather than a visitor visa; however, at that time, they were genuinely only intending to visit for a family reunion as Andy’s brother was visiting the UK at that time with his Canadian wife and their newborn daughter.
Despite leaving UK within the six months allowed under a visitor visa, by applying as a visitor rather than a spouse, according to Mark Harper, Molly ‘deceived’ the UK Border Agency, and this alleged deception means that she cannot visit UK for ten years, even though she has proved she is not an 'over-stayer'. David Laws confirmed that Harper's stamp of deception would remain in Molly’s file, leaving this poor couple to face the reality that they would remain separated unless and until Andy could find a high paying job.
They all miss each other so much and while there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel, with Andy receiving a job offer paying over the threshold (which should in theory qualify him to sponsor Molly six months down the line), it raises location and their children as major issues. So, the family faces further heartbreak over the next six months.
The job is in Cornwall, 3 hours away from home in Somerset where the boys are settled in school and
playgroup. As his job involves travelling, Andy would need a live-in child-carer. He can’t cope with the thought of another person taking the place of his sweetheart and the children's mummy – another woman the kids would be looking up to as a mum.
Taking everything into account they have decided that the boys should stay with their grandparents
temporarily, while Andy is working and until a better solution can be found. Andy will see them as many weekends as possible, but he won't be able to spend the school holidays with them, read them a bedtime story, tuck them into bed or be there to soothe away any nightmares.
Andy’s job began in late October and so, exactly six months later, on his eldest child’s sixth birthday, the couple believes they should qualify to begin the application process for a spouse visa. By this time the family will have spent nearly 8 months apart; including Christmas, and all their birthdays.
Update 23.12
The children have already stopped attempting to speak Chinese and it breaks Andy’s heart that his kids are losing their heritage and that memories are being created without their mother being a part of them.
If Molly was here, they’d be moving to Cornwall together, as a strong happy family, but instead they’re being split up in a scenario reminiscent of Australia’s Stolen Generation ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Generations ) – a disastrous episode in that
country's history. Have we learnt nothing from past mistakes?
Andy is tired and desperately sad, yet somehow finding the energy to stay strong.
“I miss my wife so much and feel so heartbroken for her having to explain to friends, family,
neighbours and colleagues, why she cannot be with her loving husband and sweet little boys. She’s so
brave, so patient and trusting that someday we’ll be reunited. I’m so very proud of her.”
Who with a modicum of decency could break up this family? British MPs could and therefore do.
Andy’s family: wife Molly, and their sons, Dylan and Devon, the night before Molly left the UK.
With the 8 hour time difference the boys only get to Skype their mummy at weekends. A clearly
demoralised Andy says: “Devon (3) now calls us ‘Computer Mummy and Daddy’”.
Skype Mummy : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhHpaq4KBxY
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