This family must be protected
LAST week’s Channel 4 News featured a story that broke my heart.
It’s the case of Lola Ilesanmi – a young woman from Nigeria, who is at risk of deportation and whose threeyear-old daughter is reportedly at risk from female genital mutilation under her father’s custody if they are sent back.
Ms Ilesanmi came to Aberdeen to study, gained a master’s degree, then, under the post-study work visa, secured a job as a business analyst with RBS in Edinburgh.
She worked hard, paid her mortgage and supported her family, but after becoming estranged from her husband, her right to remain and her child’s safety are now in the balance.
Livingston MP Hannah Bardell has been working hard to help Ms Ilesani but it appears there have been a litany of failures on the part of the Home Office and no response to her plight from Home Secretary Amber Rudd or the Prime Minister.
Two issues need resolved. Firstly the safety of Ms Ilesanmi’s daughter and securing her protection from FGM, secondly addressing the failings in Home Office procedures that have only served to increase the distress on the family.
If we had powers over immigration in Scotland I have no doubt Ms Ilesanmi and her family would be protected.
So it’s over to you, Mrs May, you can do the right thing here.