From Bang and David: News!

Source :Wang Bang / David Rushmer / I love my foreign spouse Facebook group

This has just been posted on the I love my foreign spouse Facebook support group by Bang :

'After a one year battle, we won our appeal!
(To watch our documentary film please click the link of Google Drive below)

'Our court day came in early August 2014. We had 11 witnesses attending the courtroom including my parents-in-law, my sister-in-law, and most of our common friends, although many of them had to stand outside because of the limited availability of seats in the courtroom. The hearing lasted for about 45 minutes. The Judge ended by saying, "I hope my decision will bring an end to this matter."

'Four weeks after we received the final determination from the First Tribunal, the Judge produced a carefully written report pointing out every error in my wife’s refusal, and our appeal fee was also refunded.

'In the 7 page long statement, the Judge said:

'There is a strong evidential base for inferring that the future intention of both parties is to live together as husband and wife. The supporting evidence appears to have been overlooked because of the focus on previous applications…

'I have no hesitation in finding on the voluminous evidence before me that there is a genuine and subsisting relationship between the parties. The evidence is well documented and supported not only by a documentary record but by the sponsor who I found to be a credible witness. He provided a straightforward and plausible account…
'Setting these concerns against the evidence regarding the current relationship and the development of that relationship since 2012 I find that the Appellant has demonstrated an intention to live permanently in the United Kingdom. Both of them are mature adults who have entered into this relationship with considerable regard for each other and their respective families. They are deeply committed to each other, share common interests and enthusiasm for literature and poetry in particular. The sponsor occupies a responsible position in the academic world and is responsible for the care of elderly parents. He has the strong support of colleagues and a wide circle of friends who know him…

'The Appellant has demonstrated through her actions in seeking leave, namely returning voluntarily to China, maintaining this close relationship, committing herself to marriage and submitting an application from outside the UK that she has a settled intention to live together with the sponsor…

'As indicated above I have taken into consideration her previous applications. I do not find in them anything which would suggest that the previous relationships were used in order to contrive entry clearance into the United Kingdom. In all the circumstance I find that the refusal decision was not in accordance with the law and Immigration Rules.

'No appeal has been lodged by the Home office against the Judge’s decision, therefore the determination is final and my visa will be issued.

'All our families and friends are over the moon. We cannot wait to share this good news with everyone who has been kind enough to support us. We would like to especially thank everyone in this group, thank you so much for sharing your stories, advice, experiences, happiness, kindness and compassion, your support has given us great strength to fight for justice. We would also like to say a big thank you to BritCits, who have been outstanding in defending the rights of international families and documenting the plight of those divided families, and a big thank you to Steven Green from BritCits, Journalist Michael Allen from The Independent, freelance Journalist and writer Hsiao-Hung Pai, Journalist Claudia Leong from Cambridge Tab and all the people who have helped us to gain publicity on various social medias, and 2,164 supporters who kindly signed our online petition.

'And finally, a big thank you to our lawyer, Paul Richmond from Richmond Chambers Immigration Barristers(winner of numerous prizes including the Best Immigration Set of the Year in the UK at 2014 Global Mobility & Immigration Award. )

'We will continually fight for a humane immigration policy with you for a fair and better society.
Please don’t give up hope! Never give up!
Love and hugs from David and Bang
xxx

A FILM:
our marriage.mpg
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxQ7py3TeOx4ZHl1QmljbVZwSFU/

David's update on change.org :
https://www.change.org/p/uk-border-agency-our-marriage-is-not-a-sham-please-sign-the-petition-and-help-me-get-my-wife-back-home/u/8209560
'... Don’t forget we are still only one couple of approx 17,000 people currently separated by these rulings, do continue to give them your support.'

Bang's blog :
http://wangbangy.tumblr.com/

David and Bang's story :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/david-bang-we-are-aware-many.html
“We are aware many applications despite satisfying all requirements are being refused for trivial or erroneous reasons...”

Bang's interrogation :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/account-of-interview-in-british-embassy.html

Paradise Lost? Help Cambridge librarian bring his wife home!
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/paradise-lost-help-cambridge-librarian.html

http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/our-sham-marriage-httpwangbangy.html 

Sunday links


Sources : Family Immigration Alliance, Wang Bang, Free Movement blog, politics.co.uk, Guardian

Family Immigration Alliance - Wayne's story :
http://familyimmigrationalliance.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/waynes-story/

'I’ve haven’t seen my wife and daughter since 2009, because of a visa issue...'

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Wang Bang - My week with David Rushmer in Paris :
http://wangbangy.tumblr.com/post/95464334000

'David is part of our family' :
http://wangbangy.tumblr.com/post/87600693835

Bang's blog :
http://wangbangy.tumblr.com/

David and Bang's story :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/david-bang-we-are-aware-many.html

Bang's interrogation :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/account-of-interview-in-british-embassy.html

***************************

Free Movement blog - Compensation awarded for hearing cancelled at short notice :
http://www.freemovement.org.uk/compensation-awarded-for-hearing-cancelled-at-short-notice/

'An award of £3,600 plus interest for legal costs and £100 for inconvenience was made to a lady whose hearing was cancelled the day before by the court. Waiting around all day only for it later to be cancelled is surely worse, particularly if a load of witnesses and supporters are also put to the same inconvenience?'

Politics.co.uk - Grey and hopeless: The grim reality of immigration tribunals :
http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2014/08/20/grey-and-hopeless-the-grim-reality-of-immigration-tribunals

'The immigration system is full of small personal slights. These are the regular unspoken humiliations which reveal, more than any law or ministerial speech, just how little respect the state has for those who wish to live here.'

Previous post :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/lauded-therapist-harley-miller-still-in.html

***************************

Private firms 'are using detained immigrants as cheap labour' :
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/22/immigrants-cheap-labour-detention-centres-g4s-serco

'G4S and Serco saving millions by paying detainees as little as £1 an hour to cook and clean, claim campaigners'

Paradise Lost? Help Cambridge librarian bring his wife home!

http://cambridge.tab.co.uk/2014/05/19/paradise-lost-help-cambridge-librarian-bring-his-wife-home/

'The Senior Library Assistant at the English Faculty Library, is battling with the UK Border Agency to bring his wife home.

'48-year-old David Rushmer and his wife, Wang Bang, aged 39, were married in China in June 2013, and have since faced a protracted battle with authorities so that Wang can live in Britain.

'After first meeting in June 2012 on a poetry website, the couple moved in together by November of that year. Despite submitting evidence of their relationship, testimonials from family and friends, and receiving coverage in the national press, Wang’s application for a spouse visa at the British embassy in Beijing remains pending.

'The UK Border Agency believe that Wang’s sensitive work with human rights advocates proves she is only marrying Rushmer to escape scrutiny from the Chinese government, and have so far refused to review the case. This means the couple have been forcibly separated since July 2013, apart from a brief reunion in Thailand earlier this year... '

David and Bang's story :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/david-bang-we-are-aware-many.html

Follow Bang's tumblr :
http://wangbangy.tumblr.com

David and Bang's petition  :
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/uk-border-agency-overturn-my-wife-s-spouse-visa-refusal-and-allow-her-to-return-to-the-uk

 

Our 'sham' marriage

http://wangbangy.tumblr.com/post/84911786040

Bang's tumblr :
http://wangbangy.tumblr.com

David and Bang's story :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/david-bang-we-are-aware-many.html

Bang's interrogation :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/account-of-interview-in-british-embassy.html

David and Bang's petition  :
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/uk-border-agency-overturn-my-wife-s-spouse-visa-refusal-and-allow-her-to-return-to-the-uk

More :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/bang

My own Buddha

http://wangbangy.tumblr.com/

Wang Bang : A Chinese writer torn apart from her husband by UKBA

David and Bang's story :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/david-bang-we-are-aware-many.html

'Having to rely on the compassion of an ultra-suspicious government simply to be able to live with the person you love is a lamentable, exhausting and an utterly depressing experience.'

Bang's interrogation :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/account-of-interview-in-british-embassy.html

David and Bang's petition - please sign :
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/uk-border-agency-overturn-my-wife-s-spouse-visa-refusal-and-allow-her-to-return-to-the-uk

More :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/bang

Unhappy Valentine's Day

Via Immigration Insight :

http://immigrationinsight.co.uk/2014/02/13/unhappy-valentines-day/

'Many people will be celebrating with their loved one this Valentine’s Day, but thousands of couples are being forced to spend the holiday in separate countries due to harsh family migration legislation.

'Thousands of couples have been hit by an £18,600 salary requirement for sponsoring the visa of a non-EU spouse in the UK. The unjustly high earnings threshold – which approximately 47% of the UK population cannot afford – means couples have been torn apart and will be forced to spend this special day alone.

'We asked you to email us your stories to us and have chosen two couples separated from their partners to feature in this post...'

 Bang and David

Dee and David

Cambridge University librarian battles Home Office to allow his Chinese wife to stay in Britain

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/cambridge-university-librarian-battles-home-office-to-allow-his-chinese-wife-to-stay-in-britain-9034887.html

David and Bang in the Independent - a follow up from yesterday's story!

'A Cambridge University librarian has launched a campaign to prove his marriage to a Chinese woman is genuine after the Home Office labelled it a sham.

'David Rushmer, 48, a senior library assistant, has accused the Home Office of treating him and his wife Wang Xiang “like political pawns just to keep immigration numbers down”.

'“Everybody’s stunned,” he said. “Before I was married I knew nothing about immigration rules. Unfortunately you realise you have to become a bit of an expert if you want to navigate all the traps that are there.”'

Elsewhere -

Heartbreak for Cambridge University man battling to bring wife back from China after marriage branded 'sham' by Home Office :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/heartbreak-for-cambridge-university-man.html

David and Bang's story :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/david-bang-we-are-aware-many.html

Bang's interview (must read) :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/account-of-interview-in-british-embassy.html

Support their petition :
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/uk-border-agency-overturn-my-wife-s-spouse-visa-refusal-and-allow-her-to-return-to-the-uk
-----

In unrelated news...

Spotted on Twitter -
https://twitter.com/NicholasPegg : Bulgarian scrounger, same-sex couple, French immigrant, Peruvian benefit tourist. Has Royal Mail gone mad? pic.twitter.com/BJtp38rADj

Heartbreak for Cambridge University man battling to bring wife back from China after marriage branded 'sham' by Home Office

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Heartbreak-for-Cambridge-University-man-battling-to-bring-wife-back-from-China-after-marriage-branded-sham-by-Home-Office-20140101060030.htm

David and Bang in the local press.

'A man from Cambridge faces a heartbreaking battle to bring his wife back to the UK after their marriage was branded a “sham” and she was forced to remain in China.

'David Rushmer, a senior library assistant at Cambridge University, met his wife Wang Xiang on a poetry website last year.

'The Chinese national first came to the UK on a dependant visa with her ex-husband, who had thrown her out of the house following disputes after just six months.

'She had applied for a ‘Leave to Remain’ visa, with solicitors telling her the process would take two to three months. In the 15 months it actually took to process, she had met David in June last year.

'By November 2012, they had moved in together and David said their lives were “transformed”.

'However, on April 9, the couple were dealt with the “life-destroying” news that her application had been refused. When they found out, David proposed and they married two months later in China.

'David said: “It’s devastating. We are newlyweds and we are being treated like criminals.

'“That is the bottom line. They are suggesting my wife has attached herself to me with the sole intention to gain a UK visa.

'“On December 13 we had been married for six months and I have not seen my wife physically since the beginning of July.”

David and Bang's story :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/david-bang-we-are-aware-many.html

Bang's interview (must read) :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/account-of-interview-in-british-embassy.html

Support their petition :
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/uk-border-agency-overturn-my-wife-s-spouse-visa-refusal-and-allow-her-to-return-to-the-uk

Support Bang and David's petition

https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/uk-border-agency-overturn-my-wife-s-spouse-visa-refusal-and-allow-her-to-return-to-the-uk

'My wife,Wang Bang, 39 years old, speaks fluent English, is an established writer from China, has published 8 books in China and France, works as a freelance journalist for some top magazines in China, a feminist author for a monthly column in helanonline.cn (Radio Nederland Wereldomroep), has just published a short story on www.wordswithoutborders.org, one of the best literary magazines containing  many outstanding international writers. My wife’s work  concerns  and respects love and family as the most important value in our lives.

'I am 48 years old, a British citizen, a full time permanent Senior Library Assistant at the English Faculty Library, University of Cambridge, a poet whose work has been published in over 30 poetry publications in Europe and the USA in the past 20 years.

'My wife first came to the UK joining her  ex-husband on a dependent visa in early 2010. She was wrongly accused of being unfaithful by her ex-husband and callously thrown out of their house after just 6 months of living here. She survived by herself, and battled with her PTSD as a result of this domestic violence...'

Bang and David's story :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/david-bang-we-are-aware-many.html

Bang's account of her interview (interrogation) at a British embassy, as the spouse of a British citizen :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/account-of-interview-in-british-embassy.html

Account of an interview in a British Embassy, by the spouse of a British citizen #mustread

'I received a phone call on <day> October 2013 and was told that I need to attend a face to face interview in the British Embassy in Beijing on <day> October 2013 at <time>. It was 4 months after we submitted my UK spouse visa application although we meet all the requirements.

'I wanted to confirm my appointment in person before the interview because it’s about the future happiness of my husband and I, I just could not afford to make any mistakes. So I left my hometown, arrived in Beijing two days before the interview. It took me 3 hours and 10 min on the plane, another 5 hours on buses, trains and tubes, so it was about 8 hours in total, the transport cost about £350 return, and the hotel £100 for 3 nights.

'I arrived in the Embassy in the early morning the day before the interview, and was told by the entrance guards that no advance information of any appointments can be given. It seemed like I would just have to wait at the door until my name was called on the electronic board (if there was one).

David & Bang

“We are aware many applications despite satisfying all requirements are being refused for trivial or erroneous reasons.”

David is a British citizen married to Bang from China. Their experience of the Home Office has not been positive, with nearly 15 months being taken to make a decision on Bang’s earlier application for leave to remain in the UK.

Bang submitted over 15 supporting letters from human rights organisations, universities, artists and writers. However, the application was refused despite the fact that the nature of her work touches on politically sensitive issues in China. The Home Office also ignored the fact that Bang had been a victim of domestic violence from her ex-husband in the UK who kicked her out after just six months.

Bang got by and undertook menial jobs. She took pride in the fact that she supported herself as a Chinese writer and documentary filmmaker; as a freelance translator for a watch company, with a film workshop in a German university and invited to present at British Film Institute and Free Word Centre. Commissions from journalism work rolled in and Bang volunteered at Chinese Information & Advice Centre in London, providing support to domestic violence victims and refugee seekers. Her language skills and personal experience were put to good use to help others.

Two years later David and Bang met. They don’t understand why the UKBA thinks immigrants are only here to take advantage of the UK benefit system. Bang has never claimed benefits in her life, and as a non-EEA person is unable to claim benefits anyway.

They will never forget the day they received the previous visa refusal. It was on David's birthday. The couple was devastated. Having to rely on the compassion of an ultra-suspicious government simply to be able to live with the person you love is a lamentable, exhausting and an utterly depressing experience.

They overcame this and went on to making plans to get married – formalisation of their relationship would surely satisfy the Home Office they thought. David has a flying phobia; not having been on a plane for 15 years. However he agreed to take a 12 hour flight to China to marry Bang with her family present.

The couple does not struggle financially; they lived together comfortably on David's income from a permanent job, well over £18,600. They have their own flat, sufficient savings and Bang also sold her flat in China to minimise the mortgage.

However the couple is worried. They are aware many applications - despite satisfying all requirements - are being refused for minor or erroneous reasons.

David has returned to England as he has no holiday left, and Bang is in China waiting for the decision on her visa. The couple has been waiting since 14th June 2013. Neither can relax because of the constant worry of Bang not being able to return home and the anxiety of not being rich enough to satisfy the UK government’s excessive requirements to safeguard their future.