Immigration-You're Doing it Wrong...

Hi all,

Just a bit of a rant. I moved to the UK just over 3 years ago. I got my ILR last year.  I live out in the country (Lancashire) and I also work from home. This has created a recipe for isolation. To be honest, I am not that great at making new friends, even though I can be quite outgoing. I believe I may be an introverted-extrovert.

I was reading an article in our online newspaper. The article was about this area being one of the friendliest places in the world! The article was written by a guy who moved here from the US to lead a sales team.

At the bottom of the article they allow room to post your thoughts. I posted, and said "Cool-there are 2 of us"! Another person posted and said "That makes 3 of us"! She left me her email and asked me to write to her regarding my experience of adjusting to life in the UK. I was quite happy and hopeful to write this person. I wrote my email and sent it off.

When I got the reply I was taken aback. She told me she had been here over a year and had gotten married here. She told me she had met with some solicitors to see about a Visa..because she was an over stayer. But, she had told me--they wanted too much money. She stated they wanted anywhere from 450 pound to 900.

I wrote back and asked if she had researched her issue. I told her to check the Home Office site-etc. I asked a few more questions regarding how she was able to get married, etc.

When she replied she said at the 6 month period her and her husband checked to see what it would take to get him to the US-but too expensive and too much red tape.

First-WHY do you wait until the 6 month point, when you are a visitor, to decide what you are going to do? I was surprised that she so willingly told me that she was an over stayer and that she wasn't really going to do much about it.

I just felt frustrated that so many of us do things via the proper channel and some others just feel they can do what they like! The way I see it-you come to a different country, you FOLLOW their rules! You are a visitor here. Now she has been here over a year and is just sort of hanging out.

There are loads of different reasons folks can get stuck or make the wrong choices, but this was so blatant! Grrr.

Ah well. Frustrating for sure. I am now back to seeing if I can find any other US kids lurking LEGALLY in the area! LOL!

Cheers,
Benrese

Tell her that if she applies for a spousal visa from the US, then she won't need a lawyer and things will be pretty simple.  If she stays in the UK she has very little chance of regularising, and best case scenario would end up with Discretionary Leave, not an ideal situation.  However her current strategy is the worst one.  The longer she is out of status, the worse her situation gets.  She needs to get on the ball and fix this or she could be in big trouble down the line. 

Hi Historyenne,

Thanks for the post. Yes, she did mention that she had "nowhere to go in the US". She has a few excuses, indeed. What you wrote is exactly what I understand as well. IF she comes clean and follows the process-there is some hope. If she refuses and she gets found out-she is seriously without much hope of even staying with her husband. It's really awful.

I have not yet responded with what I want her to know. But in thinking it over, why would she have told me this if she didn't want to hear the truth? I suppose if she gets insulted-that is going to be her's to deal with. I will feel better at least knowing I put it out there in writing.

I think you should count your lucky stars that its not your problem! know what I mean! Some people do stupid things.

I think you have to tell her what you think about her situation-- she put it out there to you, and then it is up to her how she handles it. It is frustrating as hell though when you see people do stupid things and of course we know indirectly it all impacts on those of us doing it the right way.

Hey all,

Thanks so much for the advice. I'm going to do it, tell her the score. I will keep you posted.

And yes, ever so frustrating for those of us who have worked so hard to do things the right way! 

I don't really have anything to add other than I agree with what the others have told you.  It is frustrating that someone thinks they can get away with things like this.  On the other hand it makes me angry to know that I am trying to do things the "legal" way and yes it is hard at times but I don't ever want to be apart from my DH and people like her can and do make things harder for all of us. 

Anyway good luck and do keep us posted.....take care!!!!!!!

Out of curiosity, if we become aware of "illegal immigrants" here in the UK, are we required to make these types of situations aware to UKBA?  I'm sure many people tend to ignore it, but I don't know....one of the reasons things are becoming so much more difficult for those of us who follow the rules is probably because of all those who don't.... No?

Hi Sukura,

First-I do think we should do what we can to ensure our own status within our own remit. Beyond this, IE: Narking out other people who are reaching out for advice and help is perhaps not the most compassionate, supportive or useful response.

Second- I do not know this person. This person is an email address. I do not know where they live, nor who they really are. Nor do I care to know, beyond informing someone of their ignorance, as well as giving them some plain advice. If we are to consider taking email addresses to UKBA-then I would think folks would not feel so secure reaching out to UK Yankee for information and support.

These are my personal views and you are most certainly entitled to your own.

Cheers,
Benrese

Out of curiosity, if we become aware of "illegal immigrants" here in the UK, are we required to make these types of situations aware to UKBA?  I'm sure many people tend to ignore it, but I don't know....one of the reasons things are becoming so much more difficult for those of us who follow the rules is probably because of all those who don't.... No?

Out of curiosity, if we become aware of "illegal immigrants" here in the UK, are we required to make these types of situations aware to UKBA?  I'm sure many people tend to ignore it, but I don't know....one of the reasons things are becoming so much more difficult for those of us who follow the rules is probably because of all those who don't.... No?

I wonder about this all the time. I don't think because we are immigrants that automatically makes us immigration rule breaker mandated reporters - but I do wonder about my liability if I know someone is doing something outside of immigration rules/law and I don't report it...

Benrese, I agree with you completely, especially if people are reaching out so as to make their situations "right".  I was simply expressing something that I have wondered on more than one occasion; I was not suggesting that you in particular should start pointing fingers/naming names...Sorry if my post came across that way.

Thanks Sakura,

Actually, I've wondered the same. I imagine there must be something available on the UKBA website regarding this. However, I suspect we have as much responsibility as any citizen (even though I've not yet obtained my citizenship, that is this years' adventure!) has when they see something which is illegal occurring. I am going to see what I can find regarding this. I love research!

Cheers,
Benrese

Benrese, I agree with you completely, especially if people are reaching out so as to make their situations "right".  I was simply expressing something that I have wondered on more than one occasion; I was not suggesting that you in particular should start pointing fingers/naming names...Sorry if my post came across that way.

The thing that struck me immediately - she has "no where to go in the US" and she needs 900 pounds....

I sense a loan request....

Actually, I've wondered the same. I imagine there must be something available on the UKBA website regarding this. However, I suspect we have as much responsibility as any citizen (even though I've not yet obtained my citizenship, that is this years' adventure!) has when they see something which is illegal occurring. I am going to see what I can find regarding this. I love research!

The form is here: Report a crime or suspicious behaviour

We take public reports of crime seriously. If you suspect that someone is working illegally, has no right to be in the UK or is involved in smuggling, we want to hear from you.