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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Nov 2007 : 22:51:16
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Help friends
One of my close Gambain friends - sponsored him through school; close to his family from a rurl village. he's now been illegally in the UK for 5/6 years - just sent me a letter - from Oakington Immigration Centre Cambridge. Received it this evening (been working all day). He's to be deported on friday.......
I've tried to phone (over and over again) - eventually got through. They couldn't find him.
I know he's illegal (we all know the arguments for and against). Right now - is there anything I can do? He will be sent home without anything. Should I contact his family and let them know? How will that be received by the family who think (incorrectly) that he's been doing ok.
I'm in a bit of turmoil and don't know how best to help him so I thought I'd contact you lot - for advice - anything .......
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2007 : 23:35:22
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You got a situation here.
I would suggest you take it the hard way, bold.
First, you should notify his family in the Gambia. Let them understand his current fate. It is not something new. This is a common disease to Gambians outside struggling for greener pastures. It is a nightmare.
Secondly, get in touch with the local immigration authorities in UK and see if you can secure him a bail. If you succeed in the bail, you should be able to battle it from there. I hope that it is not late for bail.
Meanwhile, i am sorry for his situation. I hope Allah swt gives him what is best for him, in this world and the here after, wherever it may be. |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2007 : 23:37:46
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| Also, Lily, pray for him, & don't you underestimate the power of the prayer. |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2007 : 23:53:38
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Sorry but my view is that if he is illegal unless he is a political refuge he should be returned.
Working on the illegal market he wont be paying tax or insurance. He has done well to get 5 or 6 years.
I think it is up to him to tell his family want he wants them to know and not for anyone else to tell them.
Support him in an appeal by all means. If there is good reason then that is a worthwhile thing to do.
If he has to return home you could make that a little easier by providing him with presents for the family and some cash to soften the blow.
Perhaps his experience here will help him find work in Gambia?
I feel no travel or education experience is a wasted experience it all adds to the sum total of who we are. We all learn alot from it.
Dalton Why would ALLAH support an illegal? Surely illegal actions are agains the Koran. In Christianity the laws are against any lies and dishonesty. I dont understand that at all?!  |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2007 : 23:55:56
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Lily, i am sorry that this happened to your friend and to you. But if he 'went underground' there is nothing you can do apart from calling the immigration authorities (which you did)or maybe the Cambridge local authorities (but i do not suppose he is registered there in any way). What did he do all this time that he was in the UK illegally - wasn't he in any way employed? Do you know where his friends are? Yes, call his family to prepare them for him coming home empty-handed. Oh, how i sometimes hate this pattern of expectancy. So many Gambians who are abroad are thinking of nothing but how to satisfy the demands from 'home', whereas 'home' has no clue of how it is over here. How hard it can be.
Sorry Lily, no advice - just sympathy.
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When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 00:07:09
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Bev, i understand what you say - but i see the demands that families make on the family member who made it to 'the West'(?). Losing face is a big thing and every family has someone to put forward who 'made it' = was able to build a big house after being in the US or Europe for only a couple of years. How they were able to make so much money in so short a time???
It's true what you say: maybe in his years in the UK he learnt a trade that he can use in the Gambia. We do not know if Lily is in a position to give him 'some cash to soften the blow'.
Let's be practical and let's keep religion out of it. There are crooks and swindlers in any religion and among non-religious people, i'm sure. |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 00:12:20
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Thanks All
He's a boy (sorry, young man) I sponsored through school. I bought him to the Uk for a holiday to reward him for being one of the top Gambain students in grade 12 (best results I've ever seen). He ran. It was a long time ago. We've had an uneasy relationship since then -but I've alwaysmanaged to keep in touch. When I visit Gambia I always go to his family. And now have his two brothers in College.
For the first few years he had regular work (and paid tax Bev). Then things got harder.
This is a blow - a complex set of reasons but he got detained and will be extradited on Friday. There's nothing, really to contest. Except he desrves better from the world!!
I thank you Dalton for your advice but think it's too late (and probably useless) to contest. Though I hope pray may help him....
He is a very bright, highly strung, emotional guy. Returning to his village after 6 years in the UK would be hard. To return with nothing even harder. As you say Anna - it's the expectancy which is the killer!
I shall now go again to Gambia over the Christmas holidays and find him there and do what I can to help. I just hate the hopelessness of the situation. The fact that you arrest, handcuff, deter, ship human beings. It has to be immoral to treat people in that way (well, at least it is to me).
Thanks though for your responses. It's good to be able to share ........ |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 00:35:19
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Surely as illegal he wouldnt have been able to get a tax paying job? You need a national insurance number.
It is difficult when there is so much expectation riding on one person. HONESTY is the key and that works both ways.
I wasnt meaning that I thought more Muslims than Christians are dishonest.  I dont think religion has much to do with that.
BUT the idea of having prayers answered about something like that...well I find that bizarre!  |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 01:06:15
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Little flower-lily,
See if he was enrolled in school with expired student status, then reinstatement back to school, with payment of at least 1 year tuition, plus affidavit of support normally helps. cuz if he can argue before a judge about 'financial difficulty' leading to his out of status, a judge is likely to show mercy, and order him to stay in school.
But stay with the prayer. Let Allah swt give him what is good for him, wherever it may be.
See also, if there is any relief he may qualify for, including-long time residency, good moral character, or family connection. Don't you give it up just like that. If he is legible for any relief, with a good lawyer, he can file a "RESTRAINT ORDER" from the immigration officers. That would stop the scheduled "removal." In that way, an immigration judge would immediately hear the appeal with new evidence. 
Meanwhile, thanks for sharing a hard experience. I have been involved with local communities and we are faced timely with similar situations.
Have a nice thanks-giving turkey dinner.
Dalton |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Edited by - Dalton1 on 22 Nov 2007 02:01:59 |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 08:40:12
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Too easy to get national insurance numbers these days Bev. Honesty, dishonesty - it is not my place to judge. And the boundaries between the two are not always as clear cut as we would like them to be. I never wanted him to stay here. He felt he had to in order to support the family back home. I understand and have tried to support him even if it's not what I would have wanted for him
Thanks Dalton - I have a deep feeling that he will be better (in the long run) back home where his grade 12 papers will serve him well. Here he has been almost destitute at times. Harsh reality; a harsh few months ahead as he adjusts but appalling treatment at the hands of the police/immigration services here. Still - as he will return empty handed at least he will be able to explain he had to leave everything behind (not that he had much!).
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 09:02:42
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It is very harsh isnt it? A shame we cant do more to get the reality over to people in Africa BEFORE they attempt the journey.
I remember talking to Senegalse people in Venice, Very badly treated by the police and no rights at all.
I agree lily it is a much bigger issue than the individual case.
BUT this student abused your trust and kindess and did a runner. I dont know that I could be that forgiving of that.  |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 09:07:40
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quote:
Lily...appalling treatment at the hands of the police/immigration services here
i heard you loud and clear. mere brutes!! They smile for you with the white teeth they will cut your throat with.
let God's will be. i wish him a safe arrival home.
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 09:20:53
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| If judgment is made for his deportation, then the prospect of bail and reinstatement are too late. Lily, you should at this time just help him deal with the reality of going back to the Gambia. Any financial or other help may facilitate his re-integration into Gambian society again. I do not usually like to break bad news, so I would not be too quick to call his family back home... |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 09:35:43
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lily, this is a done deal, if he is due for deportation on friday, then the paperwork has gone through, on these flights to gambia you see a few deportees, the authorities are strict on deportees. Not sure why you are getting involved, but to help him here is a no win situation. how much help does his gambian family need, can you look after his belongs here in the UK, close down any bank account, claim tax back etc. be proactive in that sense.
you can pray as much as you like but the Friday flight is booked.
You have given a lot to him, what do you think will happen when he gets back to GAMBIA, he is not in trouble there, if he has looked after the family properly there should be rice on the table.
southnds harsh but this could be a reality check for a lot of people.
AUTHORITIES HERE ARE GETTING TOUGH ON OVERSTAYS, especially when it is financial reasons. he cannot claim political asylum.
You are doing well but put your energies elsewhere |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 09:41:00
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| Does Lily have the authorization to close his bank accounts, if any, and claim tax returns? |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 11:36:57
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Thanks to all.
I'm going to Gambia again over the christmas holidays so I shall visit the family and pick up pieces!
Yes, he betrayed my trust but I couldn't turn my back. I've always visited his family when I go there and have kept in touch with him whilst he's been here.
I agree Bev - the answer is to try and persuade people not to come in the first place. His experience has been truly awful and apart from his family's expected disappointment I am quite glad he is on the way home. I suspect, however, he will never tell them how awful it's been and so the myth of a better life here will be perpetuated. I am involved and always will be - he was the first child I sponsored (almost 12 years ago now!) and I've known the family since then.....
I will also listen to kaytatta and not call the family but let him expalin things the way he needs to. (And I doubt he has a bank account with any money in it!!)
Again. Thanks to all, just talking it through has helped me |
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