A former interpreter for British forces in Afghanistan has had his utility to deliver his spouse and three youngsters to the UK rejected – as a result of he has British citizenship.
When US and Nato forces withdrew from Afghanistan in August, Muhammad* obtained a message marked “pressing” from the UK International, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace (FCDO) telling him and his household to go to the Baron resort in Kabul for “processing previous to evacuation”.
Nonetheless, an explosion on the airport meant that they may not get there and subsequent makes an attempt to get his household to the UK have been rejected.
Having labored as an interpreter and cultural adviser for British forces for greater than a decade, placing a possible goal on his again within the eyes of the Taliban, Muhammad utilized for his spouse and youngsters to affix him underneath the Afghan relocations and help coverage scheme, open to individuals who labored with or for UK forces.
However the Ministry of Defence despatched him a letter in January final 12 months rejecting his utility as a result of he’s a British citizen.
Muhammad stated: “They penalise me for being British. I can’t clarify to you what I’m struggling, I’ve tears in my eyes. I’ve been working with these folks shoulder to shoulder, we helped them.
“The place can I’m going? I’ve been working, I’ve paperwork, I’ve ID playing cards, I’ve certificates, I’ve movies patrolling with most of the overseas troops. I’m eligible in my coronary heart but when the system doesn’t settle for you, what are you able to do?”
His case highlights the affect of a scarcity of secure authorized routes out there to refugees coming to the UK. Muhammad must pay greater than £20,000 – which he doesn’t have – in visas and momentary lodging to return to the UK. If he tried to deliver his household over illegally, his spouse would face being despatched to Rwanda underneath the laws that Rishi Sunak says shall be handed on Monday, as Afghans should not exempt from the Rwandan deportation scheme.
Muhammad additionally utilized for his household to return to the UK underneath the Dwelling Workplace’s Afghan residents’ resettlement scheme (ACRS) however in June final 12 months he was advised his spouse and youngsters weren’t eligible underneath pathway three as a result of they weren’t “at-risk Chevening [a scholarship programme supporting study at UK universities] alumni”.
When the workplace of his MP, Stella Creasy, queried the response, the Dwelling Workplace stated Muhammad’s spouse and youngsters weren’t thought of underneath pathway one among ACRS for “susceptible and at-risk people” as a result of they weren’t listed as “referred to as ahead” for evacuation from Afghanistan, regardless of the message he obtained from the FCDO.
The Dwelling Workplace stated the message obtained by Muhammad was “not a name ahead instruction, it’s an invite to return to the Baron resort to course of their request”.
Muhammad’s household have managed to make their technique to Belgium however for now haven’t any prospect of attending to the UK. “I left my job, all the things to return right here [Belgium], as a result of my household was right here, my youngsters have been sick, they don’t have paperwork,” he stated. “I got here right here to attempt to assist them. First, they [British officials] stated the folks may come to Kabul airport, that was the promise, now all the things has modified.”
He says solicitors have advised him he may win a court docket case towards the UK authorities however he doesn’t have the cash to pursue it.
“I imagine if the choose sees my case they are going to be in my favour,” he stated. “But when the system doesn’t settle for me, it’s a unique story.”
A authorities spokesperson stated: “It’s longstanding authorities coverage we don’t touch upon particular person circumstances.
“We proceed to honour our dedication to these courageous Afghans that supported the UK mission in Afghanistan. Thus far, now we have introduced round 27,900 folks to security from Afghanistan, together with over 16,300 folks from the ARAP scheme, together with over 3,900 since October 2023.”
*Names have been modified and pictures pixilated to guard identities