The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Witnesses in hiding suffer racist abuse
Afamily abandoned in Aberdeenshire by a Spanish witness protection process have been abused in the street and fear being evicted from their home.
Alan Kent Garcia was forced out of the shadows earlier this month after problems with Spain and the Home Office left his family without an identity.
The father, his wife and daughter, eight, were given protection in 2015 and claim Alan helped bring down a Lithuanian gang trafficking guns and drugs.
The Press and Journal has seen and translated Spanish court documents backing up Alan’s claims.
But now the family are in limbo, being unable to prove their new identities to the Home Office, use their previous identities or work, and having now been told their benefits will be cut off.
“For how long can you live in this situation?” asks Alan. “This is two years and we don’t have any other options.”
Alan received a letter from Aberdeenshire Council saying the family could lose their home after their rent debt hit £668.
The council does not comment on individual cases but a spokesman said: “We are a supportive landlord and will continue to offer support to our tenants when this is needed.
“Any tenant who does fail to pay their rent and then does not engage with us is putting their tenancy at risk.”
The family’s financial problems stem from an 18month argument with the Home Office which seems unable to process the family’s EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application given the circumstances.
Earlier this month the Home Office again returned an application, stating the Spanish ID of Mrs Garcia had been reported lost or stolen.
The IDs have been cancelled by Spain, a fact that has been made clear to the Home Office by Alan’s MP and lawyer.
Both have criticised the Home Office.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Mr and Ms Garcia’s EUSS applications have not been refused.
“We are working with them and their solicitors.”
They are also running into problems with the Department of Work and Pensions which has hit their finances.
“I can’t afford electricity, this place (his home) is cold. I’ve got two jumpers on right now,” says Alan.
He is not allowed to work and their financial plight meant they were unable to celebrate their daughter’s birthday.
Alan claims he and his wife are now being abused in the street.
The harassment began at the start of the war in Ukraine when youths targeted his Russian wife.
“They call her a Russian terrorist.”
In recent weeks they have also been swearing at Alan, calling him “a grass”.
A police spokeswoman confirmed reports of threatening behaviour are being investigated.