I need to write a letter in support of someone being allowed to stay in this country, advice greatly appreciated please (mrsmuddle ?)

[Aimsmum]

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The difficulty is in proving that there's a good reason for her to stay, eg:

1. She's doing a job that no one else can do

2. She's married to a UK resident

3. She's entitled to asylum because she is at risk from the authorities in SA

I'm not an expert in immigration, but from my training many years back, I think they were the most important aspects.

You need to try to find out on what basis she's appealing, so you know how to phrase your letter.

Hello! I'm here now. Will reply shortly when the plumber has gone.

OK, she's probably being considered as a "legacy case" if she's been here for 5 years or more. She'll have been asked to provide evidence about how well she has integrated into Scottish society.

As well as asking you for a letter, she should give her lawyer school reports, photos of her and her daughter "taking part" in things, details of any voluntary work she has done etc, etc.

Your letter should probably include things like what a good neighbour she is, how her daughter is more Scottish than South African, that she is accepted in the community and is prepared to help out when needed etc. It's basically a personal letter of support, saying that she is so integrated that it would be inhumane to send her home, and that it would have a bad effect on the other people living there (especially the children).

Hope this helps.

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Rather than your DD writing, it might be better to take pictures of her DD and your DD playing together, or having tea together - juts normal stuff - and send them too. I presume she's asked her DD's school / nursery to write too. She must worried sick.

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It varys from case to case. They're meant to decide based on how much danger people would be in if they were sent back, but I have heard of some inexplicable decisions - both ways.

I do think though that the SNP will push for this to be a devolved issue, because it makes no sense for them to spend money sending educated, skilled people who have settled here and whose kids have gone to school here for many years, back. While on the other hand, they're encouraging people to bring their families and settle here under the Fresh Talent initiative.

Also, I know that sometimes decisions are deferred and deferred, which must be incredibly stressful for people.

Let me know how your friend gets on.

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"at risk from the authorities in South Africa" sounds a bit strange to me. Did I read this correctly?

South Africa is a democracy. A country with high unemployment and high crime rates, but a democracy never the less. The 'authorities' would be the ruling political party, the African National Congress (ANC) or the police/army. (ie. would be like seeking asylum because of the Labour Party or the police/army in England.)

Is she perhaps from one of the other African countries?