MY FAMILY

I am a Trinidad and Tobago national who has been living in the UK legally with my family for approximately 13 years. In May 2014 my family and I won a court case to stay in the country. However, this was subject to renewing our visas every 2 &1/2 years until we have completed 20 years at the cost of £6,500 and increasing every year. My wife, my son and I were born in Trinidad, my two daughters were born in the USA.  My son who left Trinidad when he was 3 years old knows nothing about this country and lived the USA for 9 years. He came with me to the UK when he was 15 years old.  He completed his high school education here and studied at Telford College.  He worked and saved his money to attend University, and started his studies at University for a BA in IT Network Systems something which he wanted to do since he left secondary school.  My first daughter who came here when she was 9 years old, completed her primary and secondary education here.  My daughter also worked and saved her money to attend Edinburgh College for two years and is now in her 2^nd year at University.  My youngest daughter who came to the UK when she was 3 years old, completed her primary education and is now in her 5^th year in high school.  She also wants to continue her education further.  My son is now 27 years old,  is dependable and trustworthy and we can depend on him when we are in a tight spot.  He lives with us and he provides support when he can. His sisters also look up to him and he encourages them to never give up though the situation may look bleak.  My children support each other emotionally in challenging situations and desperate times; and they are very close. 

OUR CURRENT SITUATION

Although my wife was gainfully employed with the NHS for over five years, she lost her job in 2012 as the United Kingdom Visa and Immigration (UKVI) rejected our application for leave to remain based on family life. While the matter was taken to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, we lived for a year and half with the help of friends and the sale of our personal items and with the help of my son’s savings. Because of my age and the 2 and ½ years visas we receive I could not get gainful employment despite having a MSc in Business Management and a great number of years work experience.  I ended up driving and delivering bread and pastries for a pittance of a salary. My wife fortunately gained employment with a well known university when we received our visas where she worked for two years and was the main bread-winner for the family, however, her salary was insufficient to cover all bills plus save for the renewal of our visas. Because of these events we were evicted in September 2016 and were homeless for a month.  We submitted our applications without the fee, because of this the UKVI informed my wife’s employer that she could no longer work and she lost her job on the 21^st December 2016.  We contacted our MP at the time, Michelle Thomson and our current MP, Christine Jardine who tried to assist by contacting the UKVI directly on our behalf and trying to sort out the situation. The lawyer agrees that if we were able to pay the fees our visas would have been granted. As such a Judicial Review is required to have my application accepted.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY FAMILY

Because my family members are of different nationalities failure to obtain our visas will result in my family being torn apart. My eldest daughter will be sent to the US where she does not have any friends or family. Her education and any future prospects of achieving her goals will be lost. Likewise my wife, my son and I, plus my youngest daughter who is still a minor, will be sent back to Trinidad where my son’s prospects of future goals will be lost not to mention both he and my daughter will be in constant danger due to the high crime rate in the country. I myself have been the victim of a violent crime which was the reason for leaving the country over 23 years ago.

HOW MUCH I AM HOPING TO RAISE AND WHAT IT’S FOR.

Legal fees including advocate’s fees - 2000 – 6000£s

LAWYER: Thorntons Lawyers