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Scottish visa dispute threatens to separate mother from children Scottish visa dispute threatens to separate mother from children
(about 1 hour later)
The Indian-born wife of a Scots former lance corporal is facing deportation from the Highlands following a visa dispute described as “madness” by the MP who helped to resolve a similar case involving an Australian family only last week. The Indian-born wife of a Scottish former lance corporal is facing deportation following a visa dispute described as “madness” by the MP who helped to resolve a similar case involving an Australian family only last week.
Gloria Macleod, whose husband Robert grew up in Dingwall, was refused entry to the UK at Inverness airport on Monday – despite holding a valid visa – and placed on temporary admission, which expires on Saturday. Gloria Macleod, whose husband Robert grew up in Dingwall, in the Highlands, was refused entry to the UK at Inverness airport on Monday, despite holding a valid visa, and was placed on temporary admission, which expires on Saturday.
The couple’s local MP, Ian Blackford, has written urgently to the immigration minister, Robert Goodwill, asking that the removal order be suspended until he and the family receive a full explanation. The couple’s local MP, Ian Blackford, has written to the immigration minister, Robert Goodwill, asking that the removal order be suspended until he and the family receive a full explanation.
Last Tuesday Blackford celebrated with another family of constituents, the Brains, who were granted leave to remain after fighting deportation from the Highlands since April. Last Tuesday Blackford celebrated with another family of constituents, the Brains, who were granted leave to remain after fighting since April against deportation.
Gloria’s husband, Robert, whom she married in 2003, is a former Royal Regiment of Scotland lance corporal and their two daughters are both British citizens. Gloria’s husband, Robert, whom she married in 2003, is a former Royal Regiment of Scotland lance corporal, and their two daughters are both British citizens.
The family, who had been living in Dubai where Robert works as a security manager, returned to Dingwall in July, where 11-year-old Siobhan and 10-year-old Meaghan have enrolled in the local primary school The family, who had been living in Dubai where Robert works as a security manager, returned to Dingwall in July, where 11-year-old Siobhan and 10-year-old Meaghan have been enrolled in primary school
Although Gloria, an Indian passport holder, was already in possession of a UK C-Visit passport, which is valid for 10 years, the couple decided that she should apply for permanent residence, to allow her to remain in Scotland while the girls attended school and Robert continued working in Dubai. Although Gloria, an Indian passport holder, was already in possession of a UK C-Visit passport, which is valid for 10 years, the couple decided that she should apply for permanent residence to allow her to remain in Scotland while the girls attended school and Robert continued working in Dubai.
Following advice from the visa office in Dubai, acting on behalf of the UK immigration service, that her application had to be made in person, Gloria briefly left the UK to complete her application process.Following advice from the visa office in Dubai, acting on behalf of the UK immigration service, that her application had to be made in person, Gloria briefly left the UK to complete her application process.
But when she returned to the UK on Monday she was refused entry. When she pleaded with the authorities that she was due to pick her children up from school that afternoon, she was finally allowed in on on the condition that she will be deported to Dubai on Saturday. But when she returned to the UK on Monday she was refused entry. When she pleaded with the authorities that she was due to pick up her children from school that afternoon, she was allowed in on on the condition that she be deported to Dubai on Saturday.
The family now faces the prospect of Gloria’s imminent deportation, with only Robert’s elderly parents remaining to look after the children. The family now faces the prospect of Gloria’s imminent departure, with only Robert’s elderly parents remaining to look after the children.
Blackford, who is still awaiting a reply from the Home Office, said: “Mrs Macleod followed exactly the instructions given to her by the immigration service and is now being penalised for this. Her visa is still current and has not been violated in any way. I have yet to fathom any reason why these actions have been taken.Blackford, who is still awaiting a reply from the Home Office, said: “Mrs Macleod followed exactly the instructions given to her by the immigration service and is now being penalised for this. Her visa is still current and has not been violated in any way. I have yet to fathom any reason why these actions have been taken.
“The family clearly wants to live in Mr Macleod’s home town and he intends to return at every opportunity to be with his wife and daughters. He has a good job in Dubai and it is quite understandable that he wants to continue with this to support his family.“The family clearly wants to live in Mr Macleod’s home town and he intends to return at every opportunity to be with his wife and daughters. He has a good job in Dubai and it is quite understandable that he wants to continue with this to support his family.
“What is beyond understanding is the attitude of the Home Office, who are removing a mother from her family, leaving two young girls in the care of elderly and infirm grandparents for no apparent reason. This must not be allowed to happen and I will do all I can to stop this madness immediately.”“What is beyond understanding is the attitude of the Home Office, who are removing a mother from her family, leaving two young girls in the care of elderly and infirm grandparents for no apparent reason. This must not be allowed to happen and I will do all I can to stop this madness immediately.”