Widowed 92-year-old will be deported to South Africa
http://www.itv.com/news/2016-02-19/w...line-petition/
Widowed 92-year-old will be deported to South Africa
Quote:
Originally Posted by ITV News
Myrtle Cothill, who has heart problems, poor eyesight and cannot walk unaided, arrived in Britain on a tourist visa in 2014 so she could be cared for by her daughter.
But mother-of-one Mrs Cothill, whose father fought for Britain in the First World War, had her application to stay in the UK rejected by the Home Office, while two separate tribunals upheld the decision.
Despite a 52,000-strong petition calling for her to be allowed to remain, a seat on a flight to her native South Africa has been booked for Tuesday. Since her arrival, Mrs Cothill has lived with her daughter, Mary Wills, and son-in-law David, at their home in Poole, Dorset.
The couple are unable to move to South Africa because they have no right to live there, while Mr Wills also has heart problems.
In a statement on the change.org petition, Mrs Wills wrote: "My mother just cannot live on her own, and emotionally, to her as well as for myself, it would really tear strips out of our heart and probably would kill my mother, and maybe myself as well."
Their barrister Jan Doerfel described the developing situation as "heart-breaking" for mother and daughter.
A Home Office spokesman said: "All applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with the immigration rules.
"The decision made on this case has been upheld by two separate, independent tribunals which considered the full range of evidence presented."
Last December Mrs Cothill told ITV News Meridian she was praying she could remain in the UK until the "end of her days."
Now everyone on here knows how much I support strong border controls and a tight immigration policy. But this is ridiculous.
Not on the point she is old or any emotional arguments, but for clear reasons. Firstly, she would have once been a British subject given her age as she was born under the Empire of which South Africa was a part of. Second, her family are British and father served Britain in battle. Thirdly, the family are clearly showing they are caring for her rather than simply dumping her on the generous British state. This clearly isn't an example of freeloading.
Again the immigration system is upside down just as the Nepalese Gurkhas had to fight to have a right to come to this country when they had served it proudly. Yet Vladimir and Bojiz from Romania and Poland - even with a criminal record - have as much right to enter these islands as you and I do.
One of the prime reasons for leaving the EU this summer will be an overhaul of our immigration system to make it stricter, balanced and fairer.
Thoughts?
