A mother is making an emotional plea to the Home Office to prevent her family from being separated after receiving a deportation notice within 14 days. Chamila Dilrakshi, a teaching assistant, and her three children are facing the possibility of being sent back to Sri Lanka while her husband is permitted to remain in the UK. The family, who has resided in the UK since 2022, is now at risk due to recent visa policy changes implemented by the government.
Expressing her distress, Chamila, 45, emphasized the impact on her children, aged 12, 9, and 8, who have established their lives in the UK with friendships and connections. Despite arriving legally and abiding by all regulations, she finds it unjust that only she and her children are targeted for removal while her husband can stay. She stressed the detrimental effect of separating her children from their father on their well-being and urged the Home Office to acknowledge their contributions to the community.
Their local MP, Victoria Collins, described Chamila and her husband as integral members of their community, with widespread support pouring in from residents. The MP criticized the current immigration system for failing to support individuals like Chamila and her family, who play vital roles in society.
The family’s journey to the UK began when Rasika, Chamila’s husband, pursued a Master’s degree at Northumbria University four years ago. Following his visa approval earlier this year, allowing him to work as a care worker, the family learned that they do not have the same permission to stay. Changes in visa regulations have tightened rules for dependents, leading to their current predicament.
Colleagues and supporters have rallied behind Chamila, advocating for her right to remain in the UK. Various messages have highlighted her positive contributions to society and questioned the treatment of law-abiding families like hers. Migrant support organizations have also criticized the government’s approach towards care workers, emphasizing the importance of respecting and supporting migrant workers in critical sectors.
While the Home Office refrained from commenting on individual cases, they emphasized the need for secure borders and reiterated that settlement in the UK is a privilege earned through adherence to regulations and contributions to the country. Plans for significant migration reforms aim to address challenges from previous migration levels and reward those who comply with the rules.
