Good news for Eastbourne family at centre of immigration battle

The Home Office says it has reconsidered its decision and Katy Garrington can remain in the UK while the government department considers an application for an indefinite leave to stay.

Katy had last week been told she would have to leave the UK and her husband Dominic and their two-year-old daughter Madeline behind because the family had not met strict immigration guidelines laid down over earnings.

Their plight prompted an online petition calling on the government to think again.

Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell, who put pressure on the Home Office to reconsider, said she was delighted.

“I’m very pleased this decision has been reversed so swiftly and that the immigration minister James Brokenshire saw the exceptional circumstances that Katy, Dominic and Madeleine found themselves in.

“This has been an anxious time for a young family with a two-year-old daughter, and I’m delighted the ending is a happy one.

“My primary mission was to ensure Katy did not have to return to the US at the end of this month without her daughter and husband, and this has been achieved.

“To be given leave to stay for 30 months and to be able to work, with every expectation it will be extended until Katy can apply for indefinite leave to stay, is the best result within the application framework.

“However, I accept the time frame is not the long-term security the family needs and this is a wider principle I will take up with the minister, who I thank for his hard work.

“I wish the family my very best - they’ve certainly been through it - and they will have my continued support with any other issues that arise.”

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