The Guardian UK reports that Anthony Olubunmi George, a disabled Nigerian man who has resided in the UK for 38 years, faces the distressing possibility of being forcibly removed from the country by the Home Office. George, now 61, arrived in the UK at the age of 24 in 1986 and has since maintained a clean record with no criminal convictions.
However, in 2019, George suffered two strokes that significantly impaired his speech and mobility. He no longer has immediate relatives in Nigeria and has faced episodes of homelessness, relying on the kindness of friends over the years.
Despite submitting multiple applications for leave to remain in the UK, all have been denied by the Home Office, with the latest rejection occurring on May 7, 2024. Complicating matters, a falsified entry stamp was discovered in his passport, submitted by his previous solicitors in 2005, a fact of which George claims ignorance until years later.
Naga Kandiah, George’s current lawyer, attributes his client’s plight to inadequate past legal representation. Kandiah has filed an appeal challenging the most recent denial, arguing that George’s circumstances, including his health issues and lack of family ties, warrant exceptional consideration.
Responding to inquiries, a spokesperson for the Home Office reiterated the need for applications to meet immigration rules but did not comment specifically on George’s case.
The Guardian also highlighted the case of Nelson Shardey, a 74-year-old newsagent from Merseyside, who was recently denied indefinite leave to remain by the Home Office despite having lived in the UK since 1977. These cases underscore ongoing challenges faced by long-term migrants navigating the UK immigration system.
