Girl, aged two, faces deportation from the UK even though both of her parents and her four grandparents hold British passports because she hasn't lived in the UK for at least seven years
A two-year-old girl faces deportation from the UK despite both of her parents holding British passports because she hasn't lived in the country for seven years.
Mother Lindsay Dutton, 30, originally from South Africa and now living in Clydach, Swansea, South Wales, is fighting to keep Lucy in the UK after the Home Office reportedly gave her daughter 14 days to leave the country if she does not appeal.
Ms Dutton was told to apply for a right to remain in the UK when Lucy's child visitor visa expired after the family visited the UK and decided to stay last year.
Two-year-old Lucy was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, therefore as an immigrant from Africa does not have an automatic right to stay in the UK
Both parents claimed British citizenship through their parents, which extends to one generation, meaning Johannesburg-born Lucy does not have an automatic right to stay in the UK as she will place a burden on school services and may one day take a job from a UK born child.
The Home Office rejected the application because the two-year-old immigrant has not lived continuously in Britain for seven years, the BBC reported.
Tenant Liason Officer Ms Dutton described the move as 'cruel' and 'heartbreaking' and has since taken out a high street loan of £3,052 to cover the costs of the application.
Mother Lindsay Dutton, 30, originally from South Africa and now living in Clydach, Swansea, South Wales, is fighting to keep Lucy in the UK after the Home Office gave her 14 days to leave the country.
'It's against human rights what they are doing to us. It's cruel,' Lindsay said.
'It's heartbreaking to do that to a parent, all I have done the entire week is sob,' she said. The Home Office sent a letter to Ms Dutton telling her that she has the right to appeal but must leave in 14 days if not.
She has since separated from Lucy's father, Gavin Burls, 34, who now lives in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
And the mother-of-one needs to pay out more than £3,000 to fund an appeal for Lucy while reliant on donations as she describes being at 'wit's end'.
She said: 'It costs £3,140 to apply to appeal and go to court, I have to pay in the next four weeks.
'I've had to beg, I'm at my wit's end. I have paid £600 - my elderly neighbour gave me £40 towards the Lucy Fund.
'I have broken down in the last few days, I do not know where to turn.'
She added: 'I was born in South Africa, as my mum moved there when she was quite young, but I have a British passport and my brother Gareth is married to a Welsh girl.'
Her brother has lived in Wales for 13 years and the family tried to be closer together by moving to the area.
Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi is lobbying Home Secretary Priti Patel to intervene and said: 'Both parents and grandparents have UK passports and all live here. This is a ridiculous situation which needs resolving immediately.' |
