Lorraine

“My daughter can’t leave the country and her husband can’t remain here..what about their innocent son..why  should a British child be forced to live without a parent?”

Lorraine is a British citizen. She is also a mother to a British citizen, Emma, and a grandmother to a British citizen, Aymane. Her son-in-law, Driss, happens to be Moroccan. And herein lies the source of the battle this family has been waging with UKBA for months now.

Emma met Driss and as has been happening since the beginning of time, this young couple fell in love. They got married and several months later Lorraine received the wonderful news she was to be a grandma.

Lorraine and her husband visited Emma and Driss in Morocco. They were horrified to see their daughter living with no electricity or running water; sleeping on a floor. Certainly no place for Emma to be in during her pregnancy.

For various reasons, Lorraine’s daughter returned to the UK to give birth, assured she’d be looked after by her mum through the rest of the pregnancy. While the entire family was delighted, they were more so when Driss received a visit visa to be with Emma for the birth of their first child

Lorraine’s gorgeous little grandson was born in September 2012, and Lorraine doesn’t have the words to explain how much she loves and cherishes him. He is her world and she’d go to the end of it for him.

While it was never Emma’s intention to remain in the UK, shortly after giving birth she became disabled – diagnosed with severe arthritis. Much of Lorraine’s time is spent with Emma - helping and supporting her. It is not possible for Emma to return to living in basics with her health as is – without her mum to help her.

Emma is currently having chemotherapy to suppress her immune system attacking her joints. She therefore needs full time care which she receives from her husband, and Lorraine when she isn’t working. Emma is unable to leave the country. And UKBA have told Driss he isn’t allowed to remain in the country.

Surely everyone is entitled to a family life, Lorraine asks... Why should her grandson be left without a daddy ?

Lorraine’s daughter and son-in-law have appealed for him to stay in the UK; the fate of this family is currently in the hands of UKBA. It is impossible for Emma to earn £18,600. Lorraine would always support her daughter, son-in-law and grandson financially. There is no reason this family would be a burden on the taxpayer - if only the government would let them remain a family.

What are the consequences of minimum income requirement for family migrants in the UK?

http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/files/publications/MRN-Family_income_requirement_July-2013.pdf

A new minimum income requirement for UK citizen to sponsor a non-EEA spouse, partner and child to live with them in the UK came into force in July 2012. Emerging evidence on the new rules suggests that this have impacted on a wide range of people. Those who cannot meet the minimum income requirement are being forced to relocate, make significant sacrifices to meet the threshold or face indefinite separation from family members.
---

BritCits meetups scheduled London and Glasgow.

Please attend to share stories & ideas.

http://www.meetup.com/BritCits
---

This evening, a good meeting with good people : https://twitter.com/LondonChurches - in Westminster Central Methodist Hall, which also hosted the first meeting of the UN General Assembly in 1946 - talking about immigration, divided families, health, the law and the awful billboard vans.
With https://twitter.com/EiriOhtani and https://twitter.com/ZrileB

I urge you to follow and contribute to Migrants and the NHS :

http://migrantsandthenhs.wordpress.com/

The Government consultation on charging for NHS care has now been launched and you can find all the associated documentation and response portal here.  Running along side this is a Home Office consultation entitled ‘Controlling Immigration – Regulating Migrant Access to Health Services in the UK‘.  The Department of health have said that they will transfer relevant responses from their consultation to the Home Office consultation but if you can fill in both that would be best.  If you are based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland the Home Office consultation is the best one to respond to.

The consultation will run until August 28th, and is into “migrants’ access and financial contribution to the NHS”. Among other things it proposes ending “free access to primary care for all visitors and tourists” and introducing “more practical and easier ways for the NHS to identify whether someone is not eligible for free healthcare”.

This consultation needs a strong response on public health, economic and humane grounds. What is being proposed could also radically affect the health professionals relationship with their patients.
---

https://twitter.com/hey_preston :
Who in their right mind deliberately separates a husband and wife? Or a mother/father from their children? #UK #settlementvisanightmare
---

UK Border Agency accused of deporting victims of Female Genital Mutilation.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/07/22/uk-border-agency-accused-of-deporting-victims-of-female-genital-mutilation/

Two women facing deportation by the UK Border Agency to Sierra Leone and The Gambia are at risk of persecution in their home countries because they refuse to carry out Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), according to a human rights group.

Campaign group Movement for Justice by Any Means Necessary (MFJ) will hold a demonstration in support of Josephine Komeh and Maimuna Jawo outside the Home Office in Westminster, central London, from 12pm-1pm on Tuesday.
---

https://twitter.com/EiriOhtani :
Have you texted 78070 to protest against the Home Office's #GoHome billboards in London? I am still waiting a call back. #nooneisillegal
---



https://twitter.com/BritCits :
BritCits member to @ukhomeoffice via sms:I saw billboard warning offering to send me home.I must come clean.Im here illegally.Im from Hawaii
---

https://twitter.com/migrants_rights :
@RefugeeAction put out a statement on the Home Office #GoHome ad, which is separate from their Choices programme
http://refugee-action.org.uk/about/media_centre/our_news/853_refugee_action_appalled_by_new_home_office_campaign_to_encourage_voluntary_returns
---

Spotted on Facebook :

From the Jewish Museum in London.

It is a letter written in 1926 to the Home Office, by someone in London who wants to bring in their (Jewish) sister in law from Poland.

It states that they have permission to be in the UK, and will be providing accommodation for the family member, and that they will be responsible for maintenance and upkeep while they are in the country, and that they will be sure the sister in law does not 'fall a burden on any charity, or become a public charge.'

Council 'horrified' over scheme for immigrants to go.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23419848

Adverts telling illegal immigrants to go home show little has changed in the UK since Enoch Powell's rivers of blood speech.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/23/anti-immigrant-ad-campaign-racism?CMP=twt_gu

 Even Delboy would not stoop to such depths.

Teather slams Home Office “Go Home” billboards as “straightforward intimidation”.
http://www.libdemvoice.org/teather-slams-home-office-go-home-billboards-as-straightforward-intimidation-35421.html

https://twitter.com/ColinYeo1 :
Unbelievable. Harper of @ukhomeoffice here describes the 'go home' campaign as 'dignified': http://bit.ly/1bd1uiz

https://twitter.com/EiriOhtani :
.@ukhomeoffice Please stop the #GoHome vans in London immediately. You are destroying community relations. #nooneisillegal #text78070

https://twitter.com/EiriOhtani :
Have you texted 78070 to protest against the Home Office's #GoHome billboards in London? I am still waiting a call back. #nooneisillegal

https://twitter.com/MigrantVoiceUK :
If you don't like the Home Office's #GoHome vans why not text an alternative message to 78070

https://twitter.com/SeemaChandwani :
Omg, when my Dad came to this country ppl graffitted saying 'Go Home' now the UK gov are! Is this a joke

---

Have you seen this van in Redbridge?
http://fleshisgrass.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/have-you-seen-this-van-in-redbridge/

This government thinks it is appropriate to try to gain support by turning us against some of the poorest and most vulnerable amongst us. I think the Conservatives are trying to make fools of us.
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
Flashback on treatment of international students..forced to queue up all night in chilly weather
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/oct/02/international-students-queue-into-night-to-register-with-police
---

https://twitter.com/migrants_rights :
The response from the Prime Minister's office regarding our petition to Number 10 on #familymigration. pic.twitter.com/EVwC642JwS

---

https://twitter.com/MigrantVoiceUK :
Should 'illegal' immigrants be rebranded as 'irregular' immigrants? The UN thinks so via @Telegraph http://fw.to/gG3zWyi
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits immigrant of the day : 

---

New immigration laws hinder some married expats returning to UK.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/new-immigration-laws-hinder-some-married-expats-returning-to-uk

“This is totally unacceptable”, she said, and added that she feels angry, sad, stressed, rejected and bitter.

“I feel exiled from my own country. It’s crazy”, she said. “We have always planned on moving back to the UK. It’s important for our children to experience life in both Japan and the UK in order to fully understand who they are, form relationships with both extended families, and have enough language competence in both Japanese and English”.

Hudson said she has no choice but to remain in Japan for the foreseeable future, but hopes that rules might change.

“It’s very depressing not to have the choice to return to my own country when I need to”, she said. “When I married my husband, I never imagined the consequences would be to lose my right to a family life in the UK”, she added.

Questions an American spouse of Brit citizen, with ILR was asked on return from a week's holiday in France. #impertinent #inappropriate #comedygold #whatcenturyisthis #specialrelationship

'I flew from Gatwick airport, England to Nice Airport, France, for my one week holiday with some girlfriends from NYC - We all met there. When I entered France, I handed the immigration officer my American passport, and he stamped me in, and said, 'Bonjour, enjoy your stay.'

'Not ONE question asked. I was not asked how long I was staying, where I was going, if I had a return ticket... Nothing.

'When I returned to the UK, at the same airport I left from, I had an entirely different welcome...

'I walked up to his little tupperware booth, and I handed him my American passport, and my BRP permit, or ILR card, which is proof that I have paid an insane amount of money, and been checked out so deeply that Theresa May has most likely personally sniffed my underwear, and I have been PRE-Approved to be in this country, as the spouse of a British citizen, for as long as I freakin' feel like it, and, THIS IS WHAT I WAS ASKED:

1/ "Do you presently reside in the uk?'

2/ 'Why are you residing in the UK?'

3/ "Is your British spouse travelling with you today?'

4/ 'When did your residency in the UK begin?'

5/ 'When did you receive your BRP card?'

6/ 'How long have you been out of the UK on this trip?'

7/ 'How long have you been out of the UK on other trips since you arrived in the UK as the spouse of a British citizen?'

8/ 'Did your British husband travel with you on those trips?'

9/ 'What are the dates and length of those trips?'

10/ 'Are the two trips to France the only trips you have taken without your British spouse?'

11/ 'Do you spend weekends in the UK with your British spouse?'

12/ 'Where is your British husband now? Is he collecting you?'

13/ 'Why did you travel abroad on two occasions without your British spouse?'

14/ 'Did you travel abroad with someone else?'

15/ "Who did you travel with?'

16/ 'How long have you known them?'

17/ "What is the nature of your relationship with these people?'

18/ 'Are you either physically or romantically involved with any of the people you have been abroad with?'

19/ 'How often do you plan to leave the UK?'

20/ 'Is your British spouse aware that you left the UK?'

21/ 'Are you still residing with your British spouse?'

22/ 'What is the address?'

23/ 'Are you employed?'

24/ 'What is the place of your employment?'

25/ 'Are you carrying anything on this list of prohibited items?'

26/ 'What was the purpose of your trip abroad?'

27/ 'Do you and your British spouse regularly holiday without each other?'

28/ 'We need your fingerprints for the purposes of immigration. Would you please place your fingers on the red line?'

And then, when all was said and done, he said, are your ready... Wait for it...

'Enjoy your visit to the UK.'

My... Visit? My VISIT?! Enjoy my VISIT to the UK?

Um, I live here.

I thought we just established that fact, like, 6 times... ?

How about... WELCOME HOME?

Can they legally ask me all of those questions?

I mean, I guess they can... But, duh, he had half of the information he was asking for in his hands. He had my passport, so he could see when I have left the country, and he had my spouse visa in it, with dates on it, and he had my BRP card...

Grrrr... Nice, huh?

I literally stood there writing them down on my magazine. After each question, he stared at me for like 8 seconds, then he entered the info into his computer, slowly, so I noted down what he asked me while he did that.

1954

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sousveillance

A confused government -  by Sonel Mehta

David Cameron has spent a great deal of public money and time wooing Indian citizens to work and study in the UK; asking them to bring their business, money and skills.  ‘We’re open for business’ he said, in an attempt to allay the concerns, held rightly so, of UK’s unwelcoming attitude towards migrants.  Even where the migrants were temporary (e.g. student visitors) whose impression of UK had already been tainted by the London Met fiasco and tales of international students having to line up overnight to register with the police;  and news of those legally resident here and even our own citizens being sent text messages telling them they were here illegally and therefore must leave!

Just when maybe the UK’s reputation as open for business was seeping through, came the Home office announcement of a £3000 bond for visitors from select countries (including India and unsurprisingly countries which just happen to be all non-“white”).  A policy which so clearly flirts with racial discrimination I’d like to think it has not been thought through – it has become very much a case of one step forward, ten steps back.   Australians are notorious for violating the conditions of their visa, especially those on a working holiday.  I’m Australian myself - I don’t want it to apply to us. But are we spared because we are a “white” country? Hmm.

Even putting aside the issues around liquidity and currency fluctuations associated with such a bond, I question the competence of a government which makes announcements (surely, but surely, Cameron didn’t approve of it) so frequently requiring backtracking and qualification... bedroom tax, landlord checks on migrants, fracking, open source software and even immigration.   Almost as if statements are rushed out to assess their viability based on the media response.

There have since the initial announcement, been murmurs from the government that this policy will only apply to “high-risk visitors”,  in response to outrage from the selected countries including a tit-for-tat policy and accusations of racism.   

As a pick’n’mix policy I don’t see how it could work.  A “high-risk” visitor is unlikely to obtain a visa to enter UK in the first place. If they do manage to do so, £3000 is a small price to stay here illegally.   So will the £3000 bond actually apply to anyone or is it just another disastrous, or successful depending on how you view the net migration target, PR move to deter migrants from coming to the UK?

Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse..that they’d realise the error of their ways, we were greeted with another announcement by the Home Office on their contracting of vans carrying billboards encouraging undocumented migrants to leave the country. How?  Such people must sms a number for information on how to leave the country, else risk facing arrest.  They state that the government ‘could’   (note the use of a conditional word) provide financial help in the return home.    It screams of a government wanting to appear to be tough, rather than one actually having a policy which works; a fair policy with a positive impact on our economy and people.

Those in the UK illegally wishing to return to their home country, could do so easily. There are no exit checks and even if there were, why would they prevent anyone from leaving?  Those wishing to return home are unlikely to wish to flag their situation to the government by sending them an sms.  If they wanted to leave, and wanted help doing so, there was nothing preventing them from going and turning themselves in to the authorities.

I’m just bemused.  I'm curious to see what information is provided to people who respond, but if I send an SMS to this number will I be hounded on how I must leave the country or risk facing arrest? Will UKBA officers turn up at my door (my phone is registered to my home address) even though I am a British citizen?  Would those who use the number constantly need to be wary of a tap on the shoulder? Surely, if they send an sms they’re just alerting the authorities to their presence here, which they could easily do by turning themselves in, if they really wanted to leave? Does compliance with this prevent the 10 year ban overstayers are threatened with? Would it not be worth just waiting out for the amnesty after 20 years residence, be it legal or illegal?

What is the Home Office thinking with this strategy, or is it just that they have such an exceedingly high budget they’re looking to supplement the splurging of appealing judicial decisions to overturn UKBA visa refusals, where the rules are found to be onerous or applied illegally, by now wasting our money on moving billboards reminiscent of 1984?

Jay & Alberto

“We just want to live our lives together..without interference from the state..”

Jay is a British citizen. He is in love with Alberto, from Brazil. They met in the summer of 2012, when Jay was travelling to South America for holiday and adventure. As luck would have it, on the third day of his trip, he met Alberto – a meeting which would go on to affect his entire life.

There was instantly something between them. Itineraries were amended to maximise time together. They both knew they were in love and had found something special together. Jay asked Alberto to be with him permanently, to marry him and to live with him in London. Jay naively thought the process would be straightforward. He left Alberto in Brazil and returned to UK. As Jay had been travelling he didn’t have a salary nor any savings. So they decided to wait for a few months so they could save up, before applying for the proposed civil partnership six month visa.

They managed to get together the huge amount of documentation required for the application. They filed the application in February 2013, and waited. In May we finally received a response. Due to an error, Alberto had not sat the complete English test. He had scored almost 90% in the reading and listening test but had not sat the speaking and writing side. Alberto’s high score and their obvious communication in English was not sufficient enough.

This was heartbreaking and stressful following such a long wait. Jay immediately booked a flight to go and be with Alberto. They had been apart too long already. They had lost the huge application fee and were not given the opportunity to be able to prove Alberto’s level of English.

Alberto decided to visit the UK before returning to Brazil for the re-application. Brazilians normally don’t need a visa to enter the UK for visits up to six months, however because he had been refused a visa already, they were advised to apply for one. However, in a catch 22, they were refused the visit visa anyway, because they had lready been refused the earlier visa! This was incredibly frustrating. That someone could decide Alberto would overstay his visit because he had had a refusal. Why after trying to do things legally and correct would he want to be in the UK illegally? It didn’t make sense.

So now they’re going to reapply for the proposed civil partnership visa – another £900. It is upsetting at the length of time they’ve had to be apart. Alberto still has not met Jay’s family after over a year of their being together. Alberto and Jay’s grandmother were never able to meet each other.

Jay is a hard-working tax-payer. He exceeds the financial requirements, yet finds the process difficult.

Jay has never claimed any benefits. He has a good job and Alberto is a talented graphic designer who should also be able to find work in the UK and pay taxes. With no recourse to public funds.

All this couple wants is to start their lives together, build a home, have a family, contribute to society and the economy and lead the lives they want together – without interference from the state. There should not be so many obstacles in the way.

No recourse to public funds - as seen in fiance, spouse and civil partner visas.

Jay and Alberto

Upcoming BritCits London meetup, Royal Festival Hall, Sunday 4th August : http://www.meetup.com/BritCits/

Time to plan next steps and just show solidarity. Be there if you can be.

---
Hope for families divided by income threshold.

http://www.freemovement.org.uk/2013/07/22/hope-for-families-divided-by-the-income-threshold/

Following the adjournment application being considered and refused, the hearing proceeded and was allowed on the spot.  My clients and I were indeed very grateful to the guidance set in MM (summarised here http://www.freemovement.org.uk/2013/07/05/high-court-finds-minimum-income-rules-disproportionate-and-unjustified/ on Free Movement) and this case presented a straight forward example of how to apply Mr Justice Blake’s guidance.  As mentioned above, the couple were minimally short of the £18,600 and well over the minimum wage annual income of just over £13,000.  Importantly the sponsor was also a British citizen.
---

Roma immigrants help clear up Derby's streets.

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Roma-immigrants-help-clean-Derby-s-streets/story-19524440-detail/story.html#axzz2ZIRWlaYn
---
Being Romanian – or British – doesn't protect ethnic minorities from discrimination.

http://www.runnymedetrust.org/news/490/272/Being-Romanian-or-British-doesn-t-protect-ethnic-minorities-from-discrimination.html

Anti-discrimination and equality legislation has been passed in the UK and across the world to ensure the promise of democracy is a reality for disadvantaged groups. In particular, anti-racist and migrant rights organisations have highlighted and worked to challenge how ethnic minorities have been denied full participation in democratic societies, including in Europe.

Among other institutions, the criminal justice system has often been unable to treat ethnic minorities justly, with cases such as Stephen Lawrence and Trayvon Martin reminding us of the continuing effects of racism, while the practice of Stop and Search disproportionately affects Black and minority ethnic people.

Across Europe, the Roma are particularly vulnerable to such abuse. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this has led to a specific European strategy to improve the lives of Roma across the continent. Romania is only one of the countries that European Roma Rights centre views as failing to treat Roma equally and fairly, highlighting what is calls ‘the Romanian State’s failure to comply with several European Court of Human Rights judgments against Romania in cases of anti-Roma pogroms'.
---

https://twitter.com/MigrantVoiceUK :
The world we live in RT“@erinluhmann: This 100-year-old refugee tells me her story:
http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/20/three-days-in-a-refugee-camp/
---

Release of footage of distressed asylum seekers angers advocates.

Immigration department releases pictures showing refugees after they were told they would not be able to settle in Australia.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/22/release-footage-distressed-asylum-seekers
---

Documenting the Roma people for Amnesty International.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roma_Daily_News/message/19989

EU Family Route: What is Surinder Singh route?

http://www.crossborderlegal.co.uk/content/eu-family-route-what-is-surinder-singh-route

... Last year, 9th July 2012, the Home Office introduced major changes to family migration rules. Most notable of those changes was the income threshold  (18,600 p.a.), which was set so high that it is reported that 47% of British people would not qualify to live with their spouse, if their spouse were a non-EEA national.

What is depressing about this rule, is not only the lack of a common sense approach by the Secretary of State, by failing to consider the non-EU spouses earning capacity (it doesn’t matter if the spouse is a surgeon and would get a job here with ease), but the fact that they only apply to Brits and not to EU nationals in the UK. In other words if you’re an EU national, say French or Polish, you are allowed to marry and stay with anyone from around the world with no financial requirements or proof of accommodation necessary. To get around this financial requirement, some people have been choosing to apply instead for an EU family permit...

A good summary.

Caution : The recent immigration rules have left many couples with no option but to leave their country or look for alternative options. This route is one of the popular options at the moment but please be warned it is not for everyone. 

Mirrored copy of Surinder Singh original judgement : http://www.scribd.com/doc/155066647/Surinder-Singh-Original-1992-Judgement

Bethan & Winston

“I have a first class degree, will complete my Masters from LSE and my husband is a qualified lawyer. Yet we face separation or selfexile. It’s ridiculous.”

Bethan is a British citizen. She has been in a relationship with Winston, her now fiancé since 2008  Winston is a Mexican citizen. They met whilst Winston was doing his study abroad in the UK.

They have sustained their relationship through regular visits to each other – Bethan also did a study abroad living in Mexico.

Winston proposed in December 2012 and they have since been planning their August 2014 wedding, however UK’s immigration rules have put a damper on things.

Bethan is currently studying for an MSc in Global Politics at London School of Economics, graduating in December 2013. Winston is already working as a lawyer in Mexico. However, Winston cannot join Bethan as her fiancé as being a full time student, she doesn’t earn £18,600 (not many students do).

They have discussed living in Mexico but the security situation in Northern Mexico, where Winston is from, is dire due to the 'drug wars'. There are also significant problems with corruption leading to an environment which neither of them believe is ideal for settling down in and starting their family.

In order to avoid being apart post-marriage, they are now being forced to consider having a civil ceremony about a year before their wedding in order for Bethan to exercise her treaty rights and move to Ireland with Winston to minimise the chance they will need to be apart post-wedding.

Bethan has a first class undergraduate degree and will be graduating with a Masters from one of the top universities in the world. Winston is a fully qualified lawyer, with a degree from one of the best universities in Mexico. This couple has a lot to offer the UK.

It is ridiculous that they could be prevented from doing so, or be forced to have a period of separation as newlyweds just so Bethan has a chance to collection 6 months of payslips followed by a further lengthy period apart during the application. It’s just as ridiculous that the only way this couple can ensure they are not forced apart is by engaging in a period of self-exile.

Friend backs Haywards Heath dad’s deportation battle with Home Office.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10558315.Friend_backs_Haywards_Heath_dad___s_deportation_battle_with_Home_Office/

A friend and former colleague of a father-of-three who faces deportation has spoken in support of his campaign to stay in the country.

Phil Sommerville is waiting for a second appeal into a Home Office decision to deport him to Australia – leaving behind his British wife Isabel and their three children.

http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/izzy

Isabel : 'The system is failing my family, it's failing your family. These are desperate times. My children need their daddy. I need my husband.' -
http://www.jcwi.org.uk/blog/2013/07/16/divided-families-campaign-video

Family life is a right not a privilege - Facebook campaign

https://www.facebook.com/FamilyLifeIsARightNotAPrivilege

'Hello my name is Natalie Gharbi this is my page and here is my story...

'In December 2011 I met my husband. We spent my 2 weeks holiday together, even meeting his family and when I arrived home we talked everyday. We had an instant connection.

'I later went on to book a holiday and spent one week - just me and him and got to know each other further. After this I had my final interview with my employer - a travel agent - and went to Palma Nova for a week of training in April 2012

'After this I flew to Tunisia to work my summer. During this time i fell pregnant unexpectedly but we were both really happy. Due to illness i had to cut my summer short, returning in september.

'I gave birth to our daughter in January. He was unable to be by my side and he missed the first 10 weeks of her life.

'We spent 5 weeks as a family and we got married in April 2013. I am now back home working Monday to Friday with my daughter in full time nursery.

'I do not meet the income requirements as I earn just over minimum wage and my salary is just under 13k a year. This is causing me lot of stress as I can't work back in tunisia as I worked over 50 hours starting 9-9 some days. I worked 5.5days a week and this would mean no time as a family. The only real jobs in Tunisia are summer with tour operators and the hours are very long. And here in the UK I am stopped by the visa rules..

'This is causing a lot of stress and strain on our marriage. My daughter 25 weeks thinks my laptop and phone is where Daddy is. We will not be traveling to see him until August 31st for 2 weeks due to work.'

Roseline Akhalu's hearing at the Upper Tribunal

http://vimeo.com/70659555

Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/315098168561449/?hc_location=stream

https://twitter.com/compassion4rose

Previous post : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/the-trials-of-roseline-akhalu-httpwww.html

'Why is the Home Office continuing this cruel and ludicrous campaign? It seems the department is concerned about growing case law that would facilitate health tourism. Under the present laws it is acceptable to deport someone even if they’ll become terminally ill on arrival in a new country, and this is why Rose’s case has been argued under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights: a right to a private and family life.  But this is an exceptional case: is the fight against case law really worth a human being’s life, not to mention the massive legal cost? And as representatives from the National Kidney Foundation have said, donors would think their efforts were a waste of time if a recipient was allowed to die.'

Anthony & Appril

Anthony is a 60 year old British citizen. He is married to Appril, a 54 year old Bolivian woman.

They love each other very much; Anthony lived with her in Bolivia for two years. They met in 2008 and married in September 2010 in La Paz, Bolivia. At the time Anthony had a very good job in the UK, with a salary of £35,000 p.a.

He proposed to Appril before he lost his employment (Appril has British ancestry but from her great grandparents - too far back to be eligible for citizenship). Despite losing his employment they decided to go ahead with the wedding as Anthony was confident he would soon find employment by June 2009. He applied for over 1000 jobs – flexible in location as he just wanted his wife with him.

Unfortunately, he didn’t even get one job interview. As a result of this both Appril and Anthony thought it best for them to start their married life together in Bolivia.

Anthony has very few relations in the UK. His mother, aged 99, gave Anthony her blessing to move to Bolivia. Even though he is her only visitor from one year to the next at the nursing home. Anthony felt guilty leaving her, however he did ring her every week from Bolivia.

Anthony spent the happiest two years of his life with Appril and gained Bolivian residency and permission to look for employment within that country. However once again he found job search difficult; much of the employment in Bolivia is family run and employs family members only. Apart from his mother, Anthony has two sons in the UK from who he is estranged.

Anthony returned to the UK in June 2011 looking for employment before the implementation of the minimum wage requirement of £18600 to be able to bring a spouse into the UK. He tried his level best to find employment - alas still without success, applying for all types of jobs at all levels.

Appril and Anthony have been apart for over two years now. He is lonely despite their staying in touch via Skype and phone.

They are prepared to reside in almost any country in the world to be together. Anthony would love Appril to join him in the UK although he is happy to permanently or temporarily move to another country; he is happy to even have a job washing dishes.

Yet another citizen who may need to leave his home for good to be with his family.

The Last of England, Ford Madox-Brown - http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-last-of-england-and-britcits-meetup.html

https://twitter.com/MandaKasravi :
Arranging a #Britcits #meetup in #Glasgow on the 7th August for anyone who wants to come along, to discuss new rules.
---

https://twitter.com/19pst :
Superman is an immigrant: http://huff.to/15jod5u  lives and hopes of undocumented Americans via@joseiswriting
---

Life in transit: What is it like to live in an airport?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23350294

This weekend, the US whistleblower Edward Snowden, will have spent four weeks in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport. Two thousand miles away, in neighbouring Kazakhstan, a young man has already spent four months in the transit area of an airport - and admits it is driving him round the bend.
---

https://twitter.com/MBEGriffiths :
How can the Home Office run a story about 'Illegal Romanian migrants' in London? Am i missing something?
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/illegal-romanian-migrants-sleeping-rough-cleared-from-londons-marble-arch

https://twitter.com/MBEGriffiths :
Unbelievable! I cld imagine them spinning it in a way that suggests illegality, but actually stating it, categorically?!

https://twitter.com/MigrantVoiceUK :
@ukhomeoffice what is a 'illegal' Romanian? Hope you don't mean Roma!
---

https://twitter.com/uk_immigration :
Blanket migration laws threaten the thriving Tech City startup scene http://shar.es/kpmsu 
---

https://twitter.com/19pst :
Brilliant: finding belonging - and a truly multi community - via boxing!
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2013/07/11/bill-judd-boxer/
---

https://twitter.com/19pst :
RIP Bert Trautmann. Iron Cross. OBE. FA Cup Final. @MCFC legend. Defied prejudice with an open heart, an open mind, and the power of sport.

The latest BritCits pack is online. 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/154586159/BritCits-July-2013

I'll also be blogging the stories at britcits.com and tweeting at https://twitter.com/sjplep over the coming weeks.

Cases are wide & varied; a son earning over £100,000 unable to sponsor parents due to rules deemed a ban masquerading as a rule; a young mum with a second chance at love is forced to choose between kids from a previous relationship who the law prevents leaving UK shores, and her husband overseas; a gay mum with twins unable to return to UK to have her civil partner’s status recognised for the security of their babies; debt-free pensioners forced into working for income they don’t need; armed forces personnel who risked their life for our freedom being denied a right to their own family file; British ex-pats wishing to return to look after British parents find barriers to entry are too high with a non-EU spouse or child in tow.

We encounter Skype families trying to conquer long-distance & time-differences through a screen; Brits forced into exile - some with an intention to return under Surinder Singh route, others so disenchanted they’ve sold up & moved away for good. There’s women postponing having kids lest it be without their spouse by their side or in a country with poor health & education facilities; awful news stories of women having abortions to continue to earn a salary needed to sponsor their spouse. We come across a few unfortunate cases where the relationship hasn’t survived the upheaval & stress from rules designed to keep family apart. Where the cases fall clearly within the rules, UKBA mysteriously loses documents or the file is tucked away to join the rest of the backlog.

This pack brings you face to face with the victims of these rules – survivors - fighting loudly for their rights.

---

BritCits bulletin

This is the latest update that has been shared with our mailing list.  The BritCits bulletins are authored by Sonel, who tweets at https://twitter.com/BritCits

What an ice-cream filled summer it's turned into..may it last as long as our winter did!

Pack

All your stories should be in the pack now, attached. Corrections, updates, photos and more stories welcome for the August version.

Bristol
Anyone in Bristol - a group there is very keen to hear your story. You may have already been contacted by Steve or myself..it's important you do respond to these calls as we don't have enough time to keep chasing. Having the opportunity to have your story shared and raise awareness is priceless so snatch the chances when you can.

Children's Commissioner
Children's Commissioner for England has contacted us to say they now have sufficient emails from families affected by the rules, and don't need any more.  Please therefore refrain from sending them your story if you haven't done so already.

I would still recommend getting in touch with the corresponding organisations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland if you are from these regions.

EEA route

More and more, members are asking about the EEA route.  BritCits is not qualified to give afvice, however we are happy to direct you to areas where you can get the information and I am also happy to share my own experience with you.  However it is important you do your own research and get professional advice where needed.

I found this useful for Ireland..there must be similar sites from other countries. 
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/rights_of_residence_in_ireland/residence_rights_eu_national.html

For you to use your rights as an EU citizen to return to the UK with non-EEA family members, you need to use the Surinder Singh route. 

On your return to the UK, you use the EEA2 residence card form: More info here, sec 2.14  http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/guidance/ecg/eun/eun2/

Wish you the best of luck..if there's anything else you need you may also find this page on FB useful:  EU FREE MOVEMENT DIRECTIVE/2004/38/C  and our website: www.britcits.com  contains information as well as the sharing of experience from rentals to job hunting; mobile phones to supermarkets.

Meetups

Meetups are regularly organised to allow meeting of others affected by the rules, brainstorming of ideas on best ways to raise awareness and drive change etc. Largely informal and it helps to put faces to the names in the pack and FB pages.  Kids are welcome!    The next two are scheduled as below:

Meetup on Saturday 20th July in Manchester, 1130am (near Manchester Piccadilly..contact us for exact location if you will be attending).

Meetup on Sunday 4th August in London, midday (Southbank, nearest stations: Waterloo, Blackfriars)

You can register for these at http://www.meetup.com/BritCits/
 

Take care and please continue to lobby your MPs so they can represent you in parliament again, come September and return from summer recess.  In the meantime, keep on the sunscreen and dont forget the hats.
Sonel

Family immigration campaigners planning meetups in Manchester and London in next few weeks.

http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/news/2013/family-immigration-campaigners-planning-meetups-manchester-and-london-next-few-weeks

 The family immigration campaign group, BritCits , is planning meetup events for people directly affected by the immigration rules which have now been in place for 12 months.

There are dates for two of these events:  Manchester on the 20th July ( 1130am near Manchester Piccadilly) and London on 4th August in London, (midday Southbank, nearest stations: Waterloo, Blackfriars).

BritCits are hoping to meet with people who want to get active in the campaign to change the rules by undertaking work in their local areas by, for example, getting their stories told in the local meda and lobbying local MPs.  It will be an opportunity to brainstorm for ideas on best ways to raise awareness and drive change.

If you would like to join BritCits at these meetups please register at http://www.meetup.com/BritCits/
---

'List of documents we had with us'.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/154582430/List-of-Documents-We-Had-With-Us

Found on Facebook. List of documents used when entering the UK via Surinder Singh. Very useful for those considering this route.

We moved to Greece as my husband had an employment contract. The contract wentsouth rather quickly, so we planned our escape, so to speak.After he had been there for three months (I was there for two as I joined him after amonth),we gathered our documentation and headed for England. We did not apply for entry clearance prior to arrival.As I am American, I did not need to apply for an entry visa ahead of time. Additionally, Istill had a valid multi-entry visit visa in my passport, as I entered the UK in March andreceived a multi entry visa at that time.When we arrived at Gatwick, we entered the non EU line. I approached the ECO andsaid we were not sure which line to go through, as he is British and I am American andwe are asking for the family permit visa and were executing Surinder Singh...
---

https://twitter.com/Ad_Matt :
OCC inundated by accounts of children divided from loving parents by 2012 Family Migration Rules. Find out more at http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk

Policy advisor on children subject to immigration control at the Office of the Children's Commissioner. (Views are my own.)
---

https://twitter.com/emmabmoussa :
hubbie said he thought the west had human rights but here we are in the situation where our son either loses mummy or daddy

http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/driss

'I thought western countries were very civilized. I don’t really understand why this is happening. I am sure no other country would allow a mother to be taken from her child or expect a father and child to live in another country.'
- http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/on-1st-september-2013-british-family.html
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
UK Ireland plan to have a common visa system to encourage tourism and business
https://www.sharehoods.com/en/uk-and-ireland-plan-visa-free-common-travel-area-to-boost-growth-n518.html
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
How very interesting..different angle on reality tv shows..observe the immigrant learning english
http://www.ukimmigrationbarristers.com/blog/why-dont-you-speak-english-channel-4-to-televise-reality-uk-immigration-documentary/

The reality show will feature ordinary British families teaching four immigrants how to speak English in their own homes.

The immigrants featured in the show all entered the UK over one year ago, coming from nations including: Poland, Colombia, China and the Democratic Republic of Congo. None of them have managed to grasp the English language and the purpose of the show is to offer them much needed assistance and determine how they have survived in the UK for over 12 months without learning the language.

Each immigrant will spend one week with a British family, each of whom will use their own unique tactics to teach them the English language.
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
Radical thought:remove immigration conditions for Brits married to non-EU person returning home for elderly parents
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jul/18/elderly-care-state-insurance-scheme
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
What can Lebanon teach Australia and UK about refugees.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-18/wakim---a-global-perspective-on-refugees/4828412
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
MPs urged to stop stoking anti-migrant mentalities as a result of failure of public policies
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23343089
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
Life in the UK test a barrier to immigration, and ripe with inaccuracies.
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/07/life-uk-test-has-morphed-barrier-immigration

The Life in the UK test has always included what many of us might consider trivia. Information such as the number of MPs in the House of Commons or how to claim a National Insurance number is not probably known by most British citizens. But the test has gone from a test about practical trivia to the purely trivial. Information about how to contact an ambulance, how to report a crime or how to register with a GP has been removed. Instead, applicants are required to know the year that the Emperor Claudius invaded Britain, the approximate age of Big Ben’s clock and the height of the London Eye in feet and meters. Consider the following dates in the life of Sake Dean Mahomet that must be memorised by rote: birth (1759), first came to the UK (1782), eloped to Ireland (1786), opened first curry house (1810) and death (1851). Furthermore, it must be known that he married a woman from Ireland named Jane Daly, that his curry house was called the Hindoostane Coffee House and it was established on George Street in London.

---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
UK needs MORE immigrants to cope with our ageing population and rising ublic debt.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/415509/UK-needs-MORE-immigrants-to-cope-with-ageing-workforce-and-public-sector-debt
---

https://twitter.com/APPGMigration :
Backlogs hit half a million at immigration service say @CommonsHomeAffs in latest report
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/home-affairs-committee/news/130713-ukba-rpt-published/
---

OBR predicts prolonged austerity if net migration falls below 140,000 a year.

http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/news/2013/obr-predicts-prolonged-austerity-if-net-migration-falls-below-140000-year

 The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), an independent expert body set up by the coalition government to assess the prospects for the UK economy, published its third fiscal sustainability report (FSR) yesterday, Its central focus is the anticipated costs to the economy of supporting an ageing population.

The report features a chapter on “the impact of inward migration in the long-term projections” which considers the contribution which can be expected from migration to the sustainability of public services as the economy develops in the future.

The FSR assumes that net immigration will stabilise at 140,000 incomers a year from 2016 onwards. It defines this as a ‘low migration’ projection. The coalition government is currentluy aiming to push net migration well below this figure, to reach 'tens of thousands' by 2015.
---

Spotted on Facebook :

Job vacancy, over 18.600. Bear in mind it's dealing with UKBA in part, but I love the irony of someone being able to sponsor their spouse due to a job which has been created due to UKBA's demands.

http://www3.uwic.ac.uk/English/AboutUs/JobsAtUWIC/Documents/International%20Office/V653%20Administration%20Asst%20-%20Immigration%20Compliance%20LSC%20doc%2012%2007%2013

Sarah

“I have two kids who miss their dad so much..even our appeal date is 9 months ahead.”

Sarah is a British citizen. She has two children, aged 2 and 4. Her husband is a Malaysian citizen.

While Sarah and their kids returned to the UK over 15 months ago, her husband is still in Malaysia. He was not granted a family visa. In December he was refused entry because Sarah did not earn £18,600 - even though they submitted bank statements showing savings and job offers exceeding this amount.

They put in an appeal in January and were given an appeal date in October 2013.

Despite being turned into a single parent to two children, Sarah is not claiming a penny in benefits. Her husband is paying for everything. Including the solicitor they have hired for the appeal.

Her four year old cries every day for her dad. The stress is taking its toll on all of them.

The family miss each other and are exploring all avenues to unity.

Samantha

“Although I satisfy it, the income threshold is too high; and the best place to learn English should be in the UK..why make our family take very difficult tests other than to encourage us to give up?”

Samantha is a British citizen. She married her husband, an Egyptian citizen, in May 2012.

They were together for four years before tying the knot, and Samantha lived in Egypt for nine months before returning to the UK in September 2012.

She returned home to get a job. She knew the immigration rules had changed and so she thought of herself especially lucky to find a job immediately, paying well over the £18,600 required.

For this couple, the hurdle proving insurmountable, is the English language test. Her husband speaks good English but his reading and writing are not so good. He took a test in February which he failed; July sees his second attempt.

Samantha understands that at the end of the day, it’s up to her husband to pass the exams. But she is bemused by how difficult they make it for candidates..almost as if they want the candidates to give up.

Results for the test are due in August/September; hopefully he passes. If not, he will have to wait till November to re-take. To Samanatha it’s a joke that she can’t be in her home country, with her own husband, without recourse to public funds.

Despite satisfying the income threshold, Samantha believes it’s too high; she doesn’t understand why foreign spouses need to take an English test, which is not remotely basic, with hours of speaking, listening, reading and writing. She doesn’t understand why the test can’t be taken in the UK – surely it would be easier to learn English surrounded by it.

More Facebook campaigns

I just want to be able to live with my husband/wife in my country : https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-just-want-to-be-able-to-live-with-my-husbandwife-in-my-country/170309133150324

We meet ALL the requirements but UKBA still refused our visa : https://www.facebook.com/WeMeetAllTheRequirementsButUkbaStillRefusedOurVisa

Married and living apart due to UKBA's current unrealistic requirements : https://www.facebook.com/keptapartbyunrealisticrequirements
---

Spotted on Facebook ( https://twitter.com/GuidoTallman ) :
Sometimes, even after 3 years of working in immigration, you just have to pick your jaw off the ground when you hear of decisions made by the Home Office over who to refuse visas to.

We hear of a British National who's brother is Jamaican (and lives in Jamaica). The Brit is ill, in the kidney section of a London hospital. His brother is willing to donate a kidney to save his life, one of the few matches available anywhere. The Home Office refuse to grant the brother a visa as they suspect he might try and overstay.

WTF? I mean he might leave a kidney behind, or even all of him stay behind, but saving a life isn't worth the risk - is it?

On the 1st September 2013, a British family will be divided

On the 1st September 2013,  a British family will be divided

Background on Sean's story was posted here : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/sean-i-am-desperate-to-return-home-to.html . Sean is a British citizen, with a non-EEA spouse, who has lived in South East Asia for a few years. The couple has a son, also a British citizen. Because the rules lock so many expat Brits into exile, Sean is desperate to return to the country of his birth to care for his elderly, sick parents. Sean is in the process of pursuing the EEA route to be with his family - a family divided. He continues to fight to be with all his loved one.

On the 1^st of September 2013, a British family will be divided. A British father and his three year old British son will be forced to live in exile. They will have to live and find work in Spain. They have never been there and don’t speak the language.

Father and husband:

I desperately want to stay in the UK, work and help look after my aging parents. They are in their seventies and both have been fighting cancer. My father had a fall this week and mother is in severe pain with her back. I worry so much and I can’t bear to leave them. I can’t help thinking I may never see them again.

My little boy has brought them so much pleasure over the last months and he in turn has learned so much from them. He loves them so much it will be a terrible thing to take him away from them. There will be real heartache and lots of tears when we leave. I really do not want to go, but if we stay my son will loose his mother. What choice do I have?

I have chosen Spain as I think it might be the best place for me to find work as an English teacher. I am scared though. How will we cope? What about language and culture problems? How will my son get on? If I we can’t survive there what will we do? I can’t work in my wife’s country and she will not even be able to enter mine. We will be in limbo. We will have to split up. My son will have a broken family.

Grandparents:

We are coming to the end of our years and all we want is our family around us. Having our son and grandson around is the best medicine we could possible get. But now we have to say goodbye to them at the airport. We don’t know when we will see them again. This is tragic.

We don’t understand why after all these years as hard working, law abiding British citizens we are faced with this situation. What makes us really angry and ashamed to be British is that any other European citizens can just walk into England and live and work just like that. An unmarried Polish/Thai couple with no children can just move here without restriction, yet our British grandson is expected to live without his mother.

Wife and mother:

This is all my fault. I feel so bad for breaking up my husband’s family. My parents in law need their son and grandson. I said maybe I should just leave and go home. I couldn’t though. How can any mother be expected to leave her child. I would be quite happy to go back to my rice farming village in Thailand, but it is not a good place for my child and my husband cannot work in my country. I only want what is best for them. I don’t really matter in all of this.

I thought western countries were very civilized. I don’t really understand why this is happening. I am sure no other country would allow a mother to be taken from her child or expect a father and child to live in another country.

Three year old boy:

I want to be with nanny and grampy. I don’t want to see anyone cry. I don’t want my daddy to be so anxious and sad. I don’t want to loose my mummy. I want to go to school and learn. I want everyone to be happy.

Read and share, please. #spouse #child #elderlydependants #britishcitizens #surindersingh #expatinexile #dividedfamiliescampaign

Mirrored here : http://www.scribd.com/doc/154379210/British-Family-to-Be-Divided