Keep Lynda and Salim Together

Dear Mr McNulty

Re: Mahmad Salim Yadun - Home Office Ref: Y70236, CTS ref: M22375/5

We ask that you allow Mahmad Salim Yadun, a Mauritian man, to stay in the UK with his wife, Lynda, who is a British Citizen. They met in 2001 when he moved from London to Aberdeen to work. Salim has been in the UK for more than 13 years, however the Home Office wants to remove Salim to Mauritius and have him re-apply for entry clearance to the UK from there. Here is a brief timeline of events:

Sept 1992: Salim arrives in London from Mauritius.
June 1997: Asylum is denied. Solicitor advises Salim to wait for due process to take effect.
1997 onwards: Solicitor continues to write to Home Office NO REPLY.
July 2001: Salim moves to Aberdeen to work.
Aug 2001: Lynda & Salim start dating.
20 May 2002: Lynda and Salim marry.
June 2002: Application lodged for Salim to stay through marriage to Lynda.
23 Mar 2003: Both Salim and Lynda interviewed by Immigration Office at Aberdeen Airport. Salim advised that he is to be deported and that Lynda could reasonably be expected to live in Mauritius. Lynda has worked for a major oil company for over 20 yrs and would not be able to obtain same type of job in Mauritius. Salims Passport is retained by Immigration at Aberdeen Airport. From that day, Salim has to sign in at Police Station every Monday.

During the 13 years he has lived in the UK, Salim has been allowed to work and has paid his taxes. He has been self-sufficient and of no burden, whatsoever, to the State. He has no criminal record and is not involved with any political or other organisation that is against the public interest. He has done voluntary work for charity (Transportforall.com) and has promoted interest in dancing, as he and Lynda taught a modern jive dance class together for several months. There is a shortage of Salims job skills in the UK oil industry.

To remove Salim from the UK and have him re-apply for entry clearance from Mauritius, would cost the UK Tax Payers thousands of pounds. And what about Lynda? Surely, she has a right to have her husband here with her in the UK? They have been married for over 3 years now. The stress that Salim and Lynda have been under is unimaginable. Salim has been displaced from Mauritius for so long the UK is now his home.

We, the undersigned, cannot see how it can be in the public interest to remove Salim from the UK and we urge you to allow him to remain here with his wife on compelling and compassionate grounds.