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Visa plea to keep family together Visa woman wins deportation fight
(1 day later)
A South African woman who has lived in Dundee for seven years, but who now faces deportation, is to meet with Border Agency officials. A South African woman who had faced being deported after living with her family in Dundee for seven years has won her fight to stay in the UK.
Josie Pasane's sister and mother are allowed to stay in the UK but Josie has been told she has to leave. Josie Pasane's sister and mother were allowed to stay but Josie was initially told she had to leave.
The family blames bad advice given to them by immigration officials for the situation.
A petition with more than 3,500 signatures was drawn up calling for her to be allowed to remain in Scotland.A petition with more than 3,500 signatures was drawn up calling for her to be allowed to remain in Scotland.
It has already been delivered to Immigration Minister Liam Byrne. Following a meeting with immigration officials, the 25-year-old was granted permanent residency status.
Local campaign The Pasanes came to Dundee in 2001 and in 2004 her mother and sister were granted permission to stay in the UK.
The Pasane's have been in Dundee since 2001 and Ms Pasane has graduated from university and got a job - which is on hold until the visa issues are sorted. However, when Ms Pasane applied for residency at the beginning of this year she was turned down because she was no longer financially dependent on her mother. An appeal was also unsuccessful.
In 2004 her mother and sister applied for permanent residency and were successful. The Pasanes blamed poor advice from immigration officials for the situation.
Ms Pasane claims she was told she could wait until her visa expired this year and apply then. It's vital that we stay together because we do depend on each other in all sorts of ways Josie Pasane
However, her application was rejected, and an appeal unsuccessful, because she is no longer financially dependent on her mother. Local people and politicians launched a campaign to keep Ms Pasane in Dundee and she now has the right to remain.
I couldn't imagine being away from my family Josie Pasane Ms Pasane said: "I'm ecstatic, I'm overjoyed, I'm very very happy that I've been granted permission to stay.
After a campaign by local people and politicians, Border Agency officials have agreed to a meeting in Glasgow. "I'm very grateful for the tremendous support that I have had from Dundee, my community in Broughty Ferry, my church, my family and friends, and the support from beyond Dundee as well.
Ms Pasane said: "I'm very nervous about the meeting, but at the same time I'm grateful that it's come at the speed that it's come, a quick response from the Home Office. "Mum feels like a big weight has been taken off her shoulders now my future is in Scotland and I can start planning to go back to life as normal.
"I'm remaining optimistic, because I don't know what they have decided yet, but it means they have listened, they have heard about my campaign and the pressure from the local MPs and supporters from our community. "We've been in Scotland for seven years and we regard Scotland and Dundee as home, and it's vital that we stay together because we do depend on each other in all sorts of ways."
"It's important and vital that I stay with my family. It would mean I would be separated from my mum and younger sister and it would just be a devastating blow to our family. I couldn't imagine being away from my family." A spokeswoman for the UK Border Agency said: "We do not comment on the details of individual cases.
The UK Border Agency has said applications to stay in the UK are considered thoroughly and appeals are fully considered by independent immigration judges. "Where a judge invites the Home Office to consider the use of discretion in a particular case, we will normally review the case in the light of those comments and, if appropriate, in exceptional cases we may reconsider our decision."
The Agency added that those who do not meet the requirements are expected to return home, which is essential for a fair and controlled immigration system.