And again the UK Border Agency in the first page regarding a deportation issue. Who is right this time? The story belongs to Mr Bill Benton of 61 years old that lives with his wife Menna in Langernyw, Wales.
Mr Benton, that successfully passed the Life in the UK Test, is facing a deportation charge from the Border Agency. Back in 2008 Bill met Menna through the Internet. He applied back then for a 2 day visitor Visa to meet Menna, after which they got engaged and planned a life together. On October 28th 2008 Mr Benton returned to the UK and married Menna. He assisted to the Life in the UK Test and was granted, or so he thought a 2 year resident Visa.
On November 2010 Mr Benton started an extension procedure with the UK BA so he could remain the UK with his wife. It was then that the Brder Agency informed Mr Benton that his Visa was only for 6 month and his extension deadline was way passed. Now he was facing a deportation to his hometown in Columbus, Ohio.
Benton is now on the verge of a 6000 miles round trip in order for him to apply for a visa to reenter the UK. The Border Agency relies on the fact that the extension period of Mr Benton has expired and no exception will me made. The couple is worried that this trip will throw them into financial crisis making Mr Benton unable to come back to the UK to his wife.
- “We’re scared to death of that possibility. A strapping lad in my position could go back to the US, get a job, save some money and fly to the UK again. I have a spinal condition, bad knees and difficulty walking.
- “I’m not trying to get sympathy but I don’t think the people in charge realize how close people in my situation are to the edge financially. I am in declining health and have no immediate family in the US to look after me. We exist here on my veteran’s disability allowance and my social security disability payments.” He said to the news.
The Benton’s are now applying to their state MP David Jones to secure a visa within the UK border so they can avoid a much greater expense.
Wales MP Mr Jones stated he is more than willing to support the Benton’s in their application to the Border agency. “It is an unfortunate story” He said in a press conference.
The UK Border agency remains silent. Mr Benton is on the verge of deportation along with no assurance of safe passage through UK borders.
I am sorry for your plight but consider yourself fortunate – you have a country to apply from – I was born in this country in 1957 of an eNGLISH MOTHER MAKING ME A BRITISH CITIZEN I WAS BORN JUST TWO DAYS DIFFERENCE OF THE GREAT LIN HOMER NO LESS! I and my child 13 born in the uk of myself and her italian father have spent over half her life being listed as migrants, treated as migrants, ridiculed ,abused and insulted through every gov. dept – even imagine how hopeless our situation after all those years even told we should apply to be british by our own mp!!