For some it comes as a surprise that BHT Sussex runs an immigration and asylum legal service. The overwhelming majority of those we work with are ‘unaccompanied minors’, young people and children arriving in the UK with no adults to look after their welfare.
For some it comes as a surprise that BHT Sussex runs an Baddar came to the UK in 2008 aged 15 fleeing persecution in Afghanistan. His initial asylum claim was refused. We assisted him with a further application to allow him to remain in the UK but this was also refused. After this, there have been numerous appeals with every decision seeming to go against him. We gathered evidence in support of his claim to show that he is particularly vulnerable as he has a learning difficulty and suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression.
We gathered country evidence to support the fact that he would be at risk if he returned to Afghanistan.
With the new evidence we made a fresh claim for asylum. In the meantime, he began a relationship with a British citizen and they were expecting their first child together. The fresh claim was refused and handed to our client on the day he went to report at the Home Office. The Home Office immediately detained him and served removal directions. The stress of this experience may have led to his partner losing their baby.
With a judicial review and an injunction, Baddar was released and the removal stopped. We then made a fresh application with new evidence of the risk he would face if he returned to Afghanistan and of their relationship. The new evidence made all the difference. Finally, after fighting his case for 10 years and not giving up, his appeal was allowed and we were able to inform him that he will be recognised as a refugee.
