DS, an Ethiopian national, arrived in the UK on a visa sponsored by her refugee spouse.
DS, an Ethiopian national, arrived in the UK on a visa sponsored by her refugee spouse. However, she faced domestic abuse while pregnant, leading to separation from her spouse and bringing their teenage son with her. Her application under the Domestic Violence Immigration Rule (DVILR) was refused two years prior, and she subsequently claimed asylum.
DS was referred to PAFRAS after her asylum claim was refused, and her legal representatives closed her file without submitting an appeal. PAFRAS’s Senior Caseworker stepped in and successfully lodged the asylum appeal, identifying fresh appeal grounds that were previously overlooked.
The Senior Caseworker recognized a critical factor: DS’s second child, born in the UK, was likely eligible to register as a British Citizen. This was because the child’s father, who had refused contact, must have applied to settle in the UK shortly after the child’s birth. This revelation significantly strengthened DS’s chances of obtaining some form of leave to remain during the appeal process.
DS’s elder son had turned 18 shortly before DS was referred to PAFRAS. Given the Immigration Rules, he would be treated as a child in the appeal, meaning he would be granted leave to remain if his mother received it. Any new application for this child after turning 18 would likely be refused, leading to serious consequences.
As a regulated Organisation providing immigration and asylum advice and services, PAFRAS’s Senior Caseworker went beyond lodging the appeal. They prepared fee waiver and Registration applications for DS’s child, alongside raising relevant family life grounds. This comprehensive support aimed to give the entire family the best possible chance of safely remaining in the United Kingdom. PAFRAS’s intervention showcased the importance of expert knowledge and diligent advocacy in helping vulnerable individuals and families navigate complex immigration and asylum processes.