British Expatriate Network

My father is 76 and has lived in the Bahamas for 52 years. Recently became disabled and came to stay with me in Florida. We applied for a green card for him, but found out that when he entered the USA in 9/2006 he was not properly cleared (we did not know this) and as a result he is now facing deportation hearings. This is very sad and is breaking my heart. We contact the British embassy as he does not have any family in the Bahamas and cannot return there. He is eligible to return to England, but will do so as a destitute citizen. We have been trying and trying to get some assistance so that he does not just show up at Gatwick in a wheelchair with his suitcase and no where to go. But I keep running into brick walls.

Has anyone else had to do this and what did you do? I keep being told that they can't do anything until he has decided where he is going to live...but we can't answer that as he hasn't any money to live alone and we can't afford to pay for his housing.

Thanks

Gigi

The US immigration service is completely devoid of common sense. Have you looked into getting a B-2 tourist Visa and then request an extension? I assume that he won't be working.

That's an awful situation to be in. Bad enough to be sent back destitute, but not having lived in the UK since the 1950's would be a traumatic change for anyone. Are you a US citizen yourself? Even if you are not, you should involve your state senators and congressmen in this. Call them and ask them to intervene on your behalf to allow him to stay over here. As long as you have all done everything legally, to the best of your knowledge, and you have been upstanding, contributing members of the community, you should fight the deportation as hard as you can. I hope you have a good lawyer. Please let us know how this turns out.