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Original poster

Albanian in the UK illegally.

16 replies

Asta19 · 03/04/2019 13:00

So I have this friend. We actually went out on a few dates, didn't work out but stayed friends. I've known him 6 years and we just chat every now and then and catch up.

Anyway, long story short, he admitted to me at the weekend that he is from Albania (he said he was from a different country originally) and came here 10 years ago and stayed illegally. He's been working cash in hand in construction ever since. Now he's panicking about Brexit.

I have advised him to go and see an immigration lawyer but I'm not sure what else to suggest. He says he is tired of being here illegally and wants to be all above board but I'm not sure that's possible. Does anyone know what the likely outcome might be?

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 03/04/2019 13:31

No-one can give a realistic view as to the likely outcome on the information here. You have given him the right advice. An immigration specialist will be able to advise him of the likely outcome.

whataboutbob · 03/04/2019 17:40

Albania isn’t in the EU so brexit isn’t relevant, unless he’s got a forged passport from a EU country.

Original poster
Asta19 · 03/04/2019 17:57

This is what I said to him but he said that Albania is close to joining and if Brexit goes ahead soon, it will be too late to help him. I think he always banked on Albania joining before we decided to leave! So in that regard Brexit has scuppered his plans. I did tell him that Brexit is very much up in the air at the moment anyway. I think he also has this idea that when Brexit happens there will be enforcement officers roaming around chucking everyone out, which again I told him is unlikely. Ultimately though he is sick of being illegal and wants to be here legitimately.

OP posts:
wigglypiggly · 03/04/2019 18:01

He can go to the immigration office or get in touch with the local CAB to see what they advise.

Lonecatwithkitten · 03/04/2019 18:02

I think Albania joint is a very, very long way away it has only just started a process last year that Turkey started in 2006 and has not yet completed.

zsazsajuju · 03/04/2019 18:05

Albania is nowhere near to joining so it would be the same either way for him. Agree re others who say he needs proper legal advice

CoachBombay · 03/04/2019 18:09

This is going to sound undeniably harsh but, he needs to face up to his situation. He is in this country illegally, he either qualifies to remain legally or he must return as long as he not subject to threat of harm obviously.

prh47bridge · 03/04/2019 18:09

Albania is miles away from joining. They haven't even started accession talks yet. These talks usually take years.

I agree it is unlikely there will suddenly be an army of enforcement officers throwing people out.

GregoryPeckingDuck · 03/04/2019 18:11

Could he get a job and get a visa that way? He really needs to resolve his residence status. Heaven forbid he has an accident or gets sick then the shot will hit the fan.

Original poster
Asta19 · 03/04/2019 18:32

This is what I worry about, he can’t have seen a GP in all this time. He’s really not a bad guy. That’s precisely why we managed to sustain a friendship. I found a immigration charity type helpline number for him via CAB and they only have certain hours when they’re available but he’s under strict instructions to phone them tomorrow!

I think the problem with work visas is the company needs to make a case that they need to hire this specific person as opposed to an EU national and, given he is just a construction worker, he’s unlikely to qualify.

I don’t know the ins and outs of Albania joining but what you are all saying makes sense. I just feel so bad for him. I know he did wrong and probably doesn’t deserve sympathy but I feel bad for him all the same.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 03/04/2019 20:34

Hrs probably claiming to be Italian ( I under that some Albanians who are here illegally do) so under Brexit he may not have a right to be here
He might be a nice guy etc but if he has no right to be here then frankly he shouldn’t be

VivaFrida · 03/04/2019 20:51

Nobody these days gets a regular job 'claiming to be' from a country. One needs to show one's passport. It is very likely (and sad), therefore, that your friend will always be subjected to 'cash in hand' jobs and being exploited. I hope he will take legal advice and be allowed to stay in the Uk legally, earn legally and make a contribution to the community through fair taxation. There is alway space in a country for talented, hard working people.

Xenia · 04/04/2019 10:34

Good advice above. Albania is not close to joining the EU as people have said and the UK has a massive problem with Albanian criminals, not that I am saying your friend is involved in anything like that www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/13/kings-of-cocaine-albanian-mafia-uk-drugs-crime

whataboutbob · 04/04/2019 18:02

Agree Albania is nowhere near joining EU, it has a long way to go in all sorts of areas before it can. I think after including countries such as Romania and Montenegro which have had significant problems with corruption, the EU won’t be in any hurry to include Albania.
@VivaFrida working in the NHS I have had patients come onto my ward who have been here illegally for years, are working for organisations such as London transport and large cleaning contractors, all on fake documents eg “ my cousins passport” ( cousin being married to an EU national).

cdtaylornats · 04/04/2019 21:43

Here illegally and cheating on his taxes - sounds like a prince.

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