Joan McAlpine MSP has welcomed the news that a family living in Dumfries threatened with deportation will be allowed to stay.
The local politician has been campaigning for Dami Samuel, 20, and her brother John, 12, who were born in the UK, to stay. Ms McAlpine recently took the family to The Scottish Parliament to meet the Minister for Migration, Ben Macpherson MSP, to raise awareness of their plight.
John, Dami and their mother have no source of income and Dami was unable to study midwifery at college as a result of the Home Office decision.
Ms McAlpine said:
“I have written to the Home Office about the Samuel family on more than one occasion and as a result of my intervention the Scottish Government Minister for Migration recently pleaded their case with the UK government.
“I am delighted that we now have a result and they have Leave to Remain. But it has taken too long. They have depended on charity and live under enormous pressure because they were forbidden from working even though they are desperate to do so. Dami’s life has been on hold and I hope she can now finish her education and fulfill her considerable potential.
The MSP also added:
“Praise should go to the First Base Charity who have supported the family along with their many friends and supporters in Dumfries. They put food on the table and a roof over their head, giving them time to fight this case. “
Ms Samuel commented saying:
“It has been a very stressful and emotional journey. However, I am very excited about this wonderful news; I can now study to become a Midwife.
The intervention of Joan McAlpine MSP and the Minister for Migration at the Scottish Government Ben MacPherson has been very helpful”
