The United Kingdom’s Home Office has threatened to deport Anthony Olubunmi George, a 61-year-old disabled Nigerian man, despite having lived in the UK for 38 years.
He arrived in the United Kingdom at the age of 24 in 1986 and has not left the country since, as reported by The Guardian. With no criminal convictions to his name, George’s life took a difficult turn in 2019 when he suffered two debilitating strokes, resulting in speech and mobility issues.
The 61-year-old arrived in the United Kingdom during Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as prime minister. Since then, eight other prime ministers have taken office, with Rishi Sunak being the current leader. Throughout his 38 years in the UK, George has experienced numerous bouts of homelessness, relying on the kindness of friends who have provided him with shelter over the years.
He has made multiple unsuccessful attempts to secure leave to remain in the country, with his most recent application being rejected on May 7th.
Complicating George’s case is the discovery of a forged entry stamp in his passport, submitted by his previous solicitors in 2005.
Naga Kandiah, the current solicitor representing Anthony Olubunmi George, attributes the 61-year-old Nigerian man’s struggle for residency in the UK to inadequate legal representation in the past. Despite the Home Office’s assertion that these circumstances are “not exceptional,” Kandiah has filed an appeal against the latest refusal in an effort to prevent George’s deportation.
A previous Home Office rejection of his case states: “It’s open to your family and friends to visit you in Nigeria.”
George said: “I don’t know how many different sofas I’ve slept on – too many to count. I don’t have my life, living the way I’m living now. My health problems since I had my stroke are my biggest worry. All I’m asking for is some kindness from the Home Office.”
Kandiah said: “My client has been living in limbo for 38 years, with no family, has suffered two strokes and has no family left in Nigeria. His situation is not just because of Home Office policies but also because of poor representation by previous solicitors who failed to uphold professional integrity and ethical standards.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Applications have to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the immigration rules with the responsibility on applicants to demonstrate they meet these rules.”
