Facing the complex UK asylum system without a support network of family and friends is especially hard on parents with young children.
Farid, his wife Nour, and their baby came to the UK in search of safety in 2017. The couple soon welcomed a second child. And five years later, a third baby arrived.
The asylum process is stressful and confusing. All the challenges and uncertainty can place a huge strain on relationships.
Things became too much and Nour felt she had to move out. She and the couple’s three children were placed in new asylum accommodation.
Later, Farid and Nour reconciled and wanted to live together again. Farid is an attentive, loving father and the children missed their dad. But the company that provides asylum accommodation would not allow him to move in with his family.
To make matters worse, Farid was told that his asylum claim had been rejected by the Home Office. He stopped receiving financial support and was threatened with eviction. Worried he might never be reunited with his family and could soon become homeless, Farid called us to ask for help.
The UK government does not allow asylum seekers like Farid to work. When his Home Office payments stopped he was left with no money for basics like food and toiletries, or the bus fare to visit Nour and the children.
How we helped
We helped Farid apply for the financial support he is entitled to while his case is pending.
We also helped the couple submit a request to be housed and financially supported as a family and worked alongside lawyers and social workers to gather evidence in support of their case.
After sending six reminders, we finally heard back from the authorities. They were unwilling to let Farid live with his wife and children because of the couple’s previous arguments. We worked with lawyers and social workers to immediately respond to these concerns.
Finally, after months of delays and uncertainty, Farid has moved back in with his family and is receiving the financial support he is entitled to. He no longer lives in fear of being separated from his wife and children.
We hope they will soon hear back about their application to remain in the UK as a family and can begin rebuilding their lives in Scotland.
*names have been changed
