UK bars refugee, 4
Sponsor’s fears for Ukrainian girl sent back after visa refused again
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD girl sent back to Ukraine has been denied access to the UK again – despite a supposed government U-turn.
Alika Zubets was first refused a right to stay as an “unaccompanied minor” because she was travelling with her gran Tanya Zubets rather than her parents.
This was regardless of Alika having a sponsor in the UK. Last month the Government said it would process applications from unaccompanied kids, with safeguarding conditions. Tanya, 58, who has temporary legal guardianship of Alika, was all set to travel back to Ukraine to get her.
Alika and Tanya’s sponsor Dr Maggie
Babb, who hopes to settle Alika with her in Audley, Staffs, said: “We had been trying to find out where to pick up Alika’s visa, then the Home Office said it was issued in error. If Alika is stuck in Kharkiv and gets killed, how could we live with it?”
The Department for Levelling Up said it is working to resolve the issue.
Ukraine yesterday pressed ahead with efforts to export grain from its Black Sea ports after a deal with Russia.