‘This behaviour with the Home Office needs to stop’
THE National published this story at the beginning of this week but I didn’t post the link because it was behind a paywall. It’s yet another tragic and disturbing example of how people are suffering because of the UK Home Office and their hostile environment, which is worse than it has ever been.
A LEADING immigration lawyer has pilloried the UK Home Office over their delay processing a visa for the terminally ill mother of a Syrian student in Scotland.
Usman Aslam was speaking after Hoda Eid died in Syria two months after her son Obada won an appeal for the family to be reunited here.
“The court initially expedited this tragic case, but the Home Office failed to review it urgently as they were ordered to,” said Aslam.
“We won our appeal nearly two months ago, and since then they have been sitting on their hands.
“It’s as if they are immune to the heartbreak they cause people. They are not fit for purpose.
“All Obada wanted was to see his mother one last time after she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in December and he has been denied that through the Home Office’s inaction.
“He is, understandably, completely distraught, especially since he can’t get to his mother’s funeral, given that burials in Syria are usually arranged as soon as possible after a person’s death.”
Aslam, a senior associate at Mukhtar & Co in Glasgow, added: “This is yet another case of ours that should reiterate to the public that safe routes to come to the UK are being made increasingly difficult.
“As soon as the Home Office appeal period allowance finished, our office made contact with [Glasgow East MP] John Grady’s office who helpfully made contact with the Home Office through parliamentary channels to expedite the issuing of the visa.
“This behaviour with the Home Office needs to stop. At a high price they find the staff to issue visas within a few days on other visa routes yet no explanation as to the delay here.”
It was nearly five years ago when Obada, who lives in Glasgow’s Saltmarket, came here to study at a time when more than half of Syria’s population of 24 million were displaced by the decade-long civil war that has ravaged the country.
His mother wanted to see him one last time and for him to be reunited with his brother and sister. She struggled to the Lebanese capital Beirut to deliver paperwork to the nearest UK consular office which would enable her to come to Scotland. However, the documents became caught up in a Home Office logjam before they eventually rejected the application.
Two months ago the family won their case on appeal, but news was of the decision was withheld in case the Home Office contested it.
At the time, Obada told this newspaper: “I do feel excited and happy but unfortunately, my mum’s situation is getting worse. I am not sure yet when they’ll arrive as we are waiting for the Home Office to expedite the visa process.”
Now he is too distraught to speak.
His MP Grady told me: “It is devastatingly sad that the family’s visas were not issued in time before they could spend time together as a family before Hoda, their mum died – and say their last goodbyes together.
“I asked the Home Office to speed up consideration of the application because Hoda had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and it was clear that she had little time to live. I am very disappointed that the visas were not granted in time.
“There are terrible delays in the UK immigration system – and each delay has a human cost.
“These delays are because the Tories focussed on expensive gimmicks rather than making the system work fairly and efficiently. The new Labour government is working incredibly hard to get the system back on its feet.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Hoda’s family and friends during this difficult time. We work hard to ensure families are reunited as soon as possible, in accordance with our immigration rules.”
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