By Graham Brown
THE CASE of a Kenyan couple whose dream of a new family life in Angus has been shattered by a visa wrangle has sparked a vociferous campaign against the “ridiculous” situation.
Joseph Lumbasi and his wife Christabel (pictured) were forced to leave their two young sons in their homeland last week after the boys’ departure from Africa was blocked by immigration officials.
The couple had returned to Kenya to bring Lance (6) and Leslie (4) to their new home in Forfar after building up what they believed were sufficient funds to meet UK Border Agency requirements.
Joseph (36), who studied at St Andrews University and has been working as a development officer with Dundee-based abuse support charity Izzy’s Promise since 2007, believed they needed to prove they had around £1800 in their bank account, but officials said the figure was £4000.
The devastating blow meant they had to sneak away in the dead of night to avoid upsetting the youngsters, who are living with Christabel’s mother in the west of Kenya.
Now back in Forfar, the family’s plight has sparked widespread support, and a pledge from Angus MP Mike Weir to pursue their case to a successful and happy conclusion.
Mr Weir was contacted by Joseph’s employer after the heartbreaking situation emerged and has pressed the UK Border Agency for answers.
“Despite numerous approaches we are still awaiting a response from the UK Border Agency on this,” he said.
“It is a ridiculous situation that these parents, who are working hard in the community, are being denied a proper family life here because of this scenario.”
Angus SNP councillor Donald Morrison, who has also been pressing the couple’s case, said, “It seems once again that the authorities have failed to look at this on an individual case basis.
“It seems ludicrous that they are being denied a proper family life here.”
Forfar councillor Bill Middleton met the couple yesterday and said, “This is a dreadful situation and I just hope it can be resolved as soon as possible.
“They strike me as a decent, hard-working couple who would be an asset to the community, and it seems unfair that they are being treated this way.”
Fellow town member Colin Brown added, “It is incredible that two hard-working people who have been determined to build a new life here are being denied the right to have their family with them.
“To hear that they had to sneak away in the middle of the night because of the upset they knew the situation would cause the boys is very distressing, and any parent will realise how difficult that must have been.”
Source: The Courier-UK
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