A blind Nigerian pensioner, 67, who has resided in the UK for 26 years, has been informed by the Home Office that she can safely travel to India for medical treatment, despite never having visited the country.
Comfort*, who arrived in the UK in 2000 and subsequently lost her sight due to acute glaucoma, had applied for indefinite leave to remain. Her lawyers at Refugee and Migrant Justice sought to fast-track her application due to her age and disability, citing a provision for exceptional circumstances.
However, the Home Office rejected this, initially suggesting she could return to Nigeria for services for blind people. The refusal letter concluded that her circumstances were not severe enough to warrant indefinite leave to remain, suggesting potential treatment in India.
Comfort* expressed her dismay, stating she has lived in the UK for 26 years and considers it her home. She also questioned the suggestion of going to India, a country she has no connection with.
Migrants' rights organisations have raised concerns about the increased waiting times for settlement under new rules announced by Shabana Mahmood. Nick Beales, head of campaigning at Migrant and Refugee Justice, criticised the government's approach, highlighting data showing people of pensionable age may not live long enough to satisfy the new requirements.
Home Office sources indicated that corrective action was being taken to re-issue an updated letter. A Home Office spokesperson stated that all applications are considered on their individual merits in line with immigration rules.