Hi everyone!

My name is Jakir Ahmed. I am now 21 years old, I was trafficked to the UK when I was 12. From 2008 until now I have been brought up by Social Services and my foster family and have not had any contact my birth family.

For the last three years, the Home Office has been trying to deport me and force me to go back to Bangladesh. Norwich South MP Simon Wright has written on my behalf to Home Secretary Theresa May to ask for her help, but the Home Office has previously said it does not routinely comment on individual cases.

In my life, I think I have struggled enough since my childhood. I was trafficked to the UK as a young boy, where I was trapped and made to work as a domestic slave. Remembering this terrible experience makes me feel upset. I want to stay where I feel my home is now – I feel safe and secure here.

My story

In 2012, I had applied for my visa extension & did not hear anything until the beginning on 2015, when they said they had refused my case and wanted to send me back. After a few months of campaigning and a change.org petition as well as a letter before action sent by my solicitors, they withdrew their decision. Over 2,500 people signed a petition in support of me staying in the UK.

I have grown up here from a child to an adult. All my friends and families are here. They mean a lot to me and in my life. From my school life I couldn't make any decision about my life and career, I was always worried about what would happen next.

Since I moved here, I have tried to live as all other citizens live. I have studied in school, learned the language, got my GCSEs. I have been to college & completed Level 3 Diploma/extended Diploma. Now I am an adult, I've achieved qualifications, got a job, and pay Tax/NI. I also successfully completed an aircraft body refinishing apprenticeship and I am now working as a full-time employee at Norwich Airport.

I'm in a relationship & we have been together for nearly 2 years. Now we are planning to settle down. If I have to leave this country, there is nowhere I can go & everything's unknown to me. Then I will be back to zero. How much more do they want me to prove that I'm a loyal citizen?

The legal case

The first Tribunal gave the decision in favour of me but then the Upper Tribunal dismissed that decision – finding that the life I had established as a child was precarious and that little weight should be given to it. Now I'm trying to appeal against the decision. Now I am appealing to the Court of Appeal.

My excellent solicitor Kat Hacker from the well known firm Duncan Lewis has been helping me all the way with the legal action and support. My financial status isn't good enough to cover all the legal expenses and there is no legal aid to cover this type of appeal; I'm spending everything I'm earning on all the legal fees.

So I'm please appealing to everyone to help me with this – I'm hoping to raise £4,000 to help me with the costs.

About the claimant

My name is Jakir Ahmed. I'm 21, and living in Norwich since 2008. Studied at Sewell park college, City college Norwich & NTS. Also completed an apprenticeship and working full time.

Fast facts

For 3 years, the Home Office has tried to send me back to Bangladesh. 

The first Tribunal gave the decision in favour of me but then the Upper Tribunal dismissed that decision – finding that the life I had established as a child was precarious and that little weight should be given to it. Now I'm trying to appeal against the decision to the Court of Appeal.

My excellent solicitor Kat Hacker from the well known firm Duncan Lewis has been helping me all the way with the legal action and support.