Sri Lankan family faces deportation despite mother’s UK visa extension: Children must leave World News
A Sri Lankan family living legally in the UK has been told that their two young children must leave the country, despite their mother being allowed to stay in the UK until 2031, The Guardian reports.The case involves Varuni Arachchige, a paramedic in Perth, Scotland, whose visa had been extended by the Home Office. However, her husband and two children, aged eight and five, were reportedly instructed to leave the UK despite having been lawfully resident in the country since 2022.Araqig told the Guardian the family complied with immigration rules, paid visa fees and taxes and settled in Scotland, where the children attend school.“We have been living legally in the UK since arriving at Christmas 2022,” she said.“The Home Office has extended my visa until 2031. But my husband and my dependent children have been told to leave the country.”The family arrived in the UK under visa rules, which allow overseas carers to bring partners and children as dependents. The rules were tightened in March 2024 as part of the government’s wider efforts to reduce immigration.The case has attracted attention because the family entered the UK before restrictions came into force.Rasika Samarasinghe, another Sri Lankan caregiver, said his wife and three children were also denied permission to stay despite his family complying with immigration requirements.“Everything we do in this country is legal and we have paid every tax,” Samarasinghe said.“My children have settled in and are doing well in school. The youngest only speaks and writes English. “Responding to the question, a spokesman for the Home Office said the government was moving ahead with plans to reduce immigration and reform the legal immigration system.“We will always welcome those who contribute to this country and want to build a better life here. But we must restore order and control at our borders,” the spokesman said.
