Brothers lose latest asylum bid

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/7173154.stm

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A Pakistani father living in Swansea says his two adult sons have lost their latest bid to stay in the UK.

Christopher and Calvin George now face deportation after immigration officials are understood to have rejected a request to seek asylum in Britain.

The Home Office said it could not comment on specific cases.

However, George William, said an appeal against the ruling would be lodged on Monday in the hope his two sons can stay in this country.

My sons are very upset, and now we only have a limited to make the appeal George William

Mr William and his wife Veronica William, and their three other younger children, won a temporary reprieve from deportation just before Christmas.

The High Court ruled that officials must revisit claims by the family that they face persecution if they return to Pakistan because of their Christian faith.

Students

However, sons Calvin and Christopher - who use their father's first name as their surnames - were arrested over alleged visa irregularities when visiting their parents in prison, as they fought their own battle against deportation.

The two men had been in the UK since 2004 and had been studying information technology at college in Slough.

The pair were held in a detention centre until Christmas Eve, and won a review of their case with just 25 minutes to go before boarding a plane to return to Pakistan.

The parents, their two daughters and youngest son won a case review

Their father said the asylum appeal was held on Thursday, and the family was told on Friday it had been rejected.

"It is very painful for all of us," said Mr William, who is a volunteer in Swansea for Oxfam which has been supporting their case.

"My sons are very upset, and now we only have a limited time to make the appeal.

"At the moment we cannot say whether it will be a positive or negative outcome."

The Border and Immigration Agency, part of the Home Office, said it did not comment on individual cases.

But a spokesperson added: "The UK Government is committed to providing protection for those individuals found to be genuinely in need, in accordance with our commitments under international law.

"However, in order to maintain the integrity of our asylum system and prevent unfounded applications it is important that we are able to enforce returns of those who do not need protection and who have no further claim to remain in the UK."

The immigration appeal tribunal is now expected to be heard on Tuesday.