Filipino family win right to stay

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Flora Domagas was "over the moon" when she heard the news

Last-ditch efforts to stop a Filipino family living in Pembrokeshire being deported have paid off.

Care worker Flora Domagas, her husband Ernesto and their four children were told they would have to leave next month after five years in Wales.

She had secured a work permit, but her visa application was refused.

Her fight to stay was backed by the Filipino community, members of her church in Haverfordwest and her MP Stephen Crabb took up her case.

Mrs Domagas said she was delighted with the news.

She first came to Wales to work at a nursing home.

But for the past 18 months the family has relied on donations from supporters to pay their way after she fought for a new work permit.

Not only do the Domagas family have legitimate grounds to remain in the country, but that there is enormous affection and support for them Stephen Crabb MP

That was finally granted last month but then the family's visa applications were refused.

Conservative MP Mr Crabb said he had now been told she could stay.

"I am delighted by the decision today by the home secretary to overturn the refusal of leave to remain for the Domagas family.

"It has been a long and difficult 18 months for Flora and her family but at last the correct decision has been reached."

"I am grateful to all the many people from right across the constituency who have contacted my office in the last fortnight to show their support for Flora.

"In the last few days we have been able to demonstrate to the home secretary that, not only do the Domagas family have legitimate grounds to remain in the country, but that there is enormous affection and support for them from within the local community."

Pembrokeshire's Filipino community and members of the St David and St Patrick Church in Haverfordwest have supported the family.

Mrs Domagas said she had an offer of employment and was hoping to start work again very shortly.

A spokeswoman for the UK Border Agency said they did not comment on individual cases.

She added: "All applications for leave to remain are considered on their merits and in accordance with the immigration rules, taking into account all the circumstances and supporting evidence at the time of application."