Immigration officials deny woman’s request to stay in the UK to care for her sick mother

Tess Henry has been pleading with immigration officials to stay in Britain to care for her mother who is suffering from terminal cancer.  Henry is entitled to British citizenship but chose to live the majority of her life in Australia.  She returned to Britain in 2006 to care for her mother.  Now she has been trying to straighten out her application to stay in the country but government officials have rejected it. 

Henry's citizenship entitlement is through her father who is a British citizen.  When she originally applied for UK citizenship she did so through her mother.  Her application was rejected because her mother was actually born in South Africa and had gotten her UK Citizenship through Henry's father as well.

Henry spoke about the matter and said "I have had shattering news today. After nearly four months of individually reviewing my case immigration have refused me leave to stay even on compassionate grounds. I have been told I must leave the country as soon as possible."

Also speaking out about the case is Richard Spring who is the Newmarket MP: "It is bureaucratic madness. I have constantly argued that she should be allowed to stay on compassionate grounds. Yes, we need a tough and rigorous immigration system but this is simply unreasonable."  Spring added that "I have done everything in my power to try to prolong her visit and will continue to do so."

 www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk