The United Kingdom Home Office has made an error in its response to a 67-year-old blind Nigerian pensioner's application for indefinite leave to remain. Comfort, who has lived in Britain for 26 years, was told she could seek medical treatment in India, a country she has never visited. Her lawyers, Migrant and Refugee Justice, approached the Home Office seeking exceptional consideration due to her age and disability.
Comfort arrived in the UK in 2000 and lost her sight shortly afterwards due to acute glaucoma. She was granted permission to remain in Britain in 2022 under the long-residence immigration route. However, under new settlement rules announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Comfort may be required to continue renewing her visa for another 20 years before qualifying for permanent residency. Her lawyers argue that this is unreasonable given her age and disability.
The Home Office initially responded to Comfort's application by stating that she could return to Nigeria, where services for blind people were available. However, a subsequent letter incorrectly referred to India, stating that her circumstances were not severe enough to warrant indefinite leave to remain. Comfort expressed her confusion and concern, saying she had never visited India and had no connection to the country.
Comfort has established her life in Britain, with friends, a church community, and voluntary work. She is worried that the new settlement requirements could leave her waiting until her 80s before securing indefinite leave to remain. Her case has been taken up by Migrant and Refugee Justice, with their head of campaigning, Nick Beales, questioning the need for her to continue renewing her visa despite her lengthy residence in Britain.
Beales also criticised the proposed settlement changes, arguing that they could make it more difficult for elderly migrants to secure permanent residency. Data obtained through a freedom of information request by Migrant and Refugee Justice showed that some elderly migrants could struggle to meet the revised settlement requirements within their lifetimes.
A Home Office spokesperson said that applications for permission to stay in the UK are considered on their individual merits, in line with immigration rules and based on the information provided by the applicant. The department is taking corrective action to issue Comfort an updated letter.
Comfort is urging the Home Office to grant her indefinite leave to remain, citing her long residence and contributions to British society. Her case highlights the challenges faced by elderly migrants under the new settlement rules.
Key points
- The UK Home Office mistakenly advised a 67-year-old blind Nigerian pensioner to seek medical treatment in India.
- The pensioner, Comfort, has lived in Britain for 26 years and may be required to wait another 20 years for permanent residency under new settlement rules.
- Her case has sparked concerns about the impact of the new rules on elderly migrants.
