Anger as family face deportation

Last ditch efforts are being made to stop the deportation of a Filipino family living in Pembrokeshire.

Care worker Flora Domagas thought she had won her fight to stay in the UK when she secured a work permit, but her visa application has now been refused.

Supporters are angry at the decision, while local MP Stephen Crabb said the UK Border Agency was in a mess.

The agency said all applications for leave to remain are considered in line with immigration rules.

Mrs Domagas, her husband Ernesto, and their children Ronniel, Alexa, Ronnelle and Alexandra have been in Wales for more than five years since she started work at a nursing home.

But they have been financially supported by friends for the past 18 months while they fought to stay in the country.

"There is no question at all that Flora is needed within the local labour market"
Stephen Crabb MP

Mrs Domagas said: "They granted my work permit but now the visa they refused.

"It's really hard because we don't have money to spend for our daily needs - the Filipino community and the rest are helping."

Conservative MP Mr Crabb said there was a job waiting for Mrs Domagas and has criticised the Home Office.

"We thought we had cracked the case when just eight weeks ago the home secretary herself told us that the permit would be granted - indeed it was," he said.

"This latest turn of events just shows what a mess, I think, a lot of the systems within the Border Agency are in at the moment.

"There is no question at all that Flora is needed within the local labour market.

"We are really trying hard now to get some clear answers out of the Home Office about where we go next."

Family friend Mercedes Davies said the Filipino community and members of the St David and St Patrick Church in Haverfordwest would continue to help the family.

"Most of the people here are very angry with the decision," she said.

"It's very difficult for the family."

The UK Border Agency said it did not comment on individual cases.

But a spokesperson said: "All applications for leave to remain are considered in line with the immigration rules, taking into account all of the available evidence.

"Just because an individual has previously resided in the United Kingdom for work purposes does not mean that they will be granted permission to remain in the UK in further applications for leave."

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