Home office to reconsider Eastbourne family's immigration plight

The government is to reconsider the case of an American woman from Eastbourne who has been told to return to the US and leave her British husband and daughter behind.
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Katy James has been refused permission to stay in the UK despite being married to husband Dominic for nine years and building a family life in the town with their two-year-old daughter Madeline.

The couple failed to meet strict guidelines laid down by the Home Office prompting Mr and Mrs James to launch an online petition which now has almost 2,000 signatures.

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Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell is supporting the couple and said she is confident the decision will be reversed.

“I’m very pleased for the family that the Immigration Minister James Brokenshire has said there will be a reconsideration of Katy’s application,” she said this morning.

“This does not mean that the decision has been rescinded, but the letter I have received today makes it clear that a fresh set of eyes will look at the application.

“I think we should be confident the decision will be reversed on the basis the three have a right to family life under human rights legislation and because of the impact on Madeleine should Katy be forced to leave.

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“This has been a very trying time for the family and I hope tonight they can sleep a little more soundly. I will be working with the Home Office and the family to ensure this reconsideration goes smoothly.

“There has been much debate over immigration rules in this case, but my focus was always to keep this family together. There are rules, and quite rightly so, but there is also discretion when unique circumstances arise.

“I thank the minister for his prompt response to this issue.”

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