Petition launched as Shrewsbury woman fights to remain in UK

Pauline Taylor-French has lost her latest bid to remain in the country despite being married to an English man.

The 44-year-old married Shropshire Council planner Grahame French in 2017.

He has now launched a petition in a bid to keep her in the country she has called home for nearly 20 years.

Grahame said that his wife of 16 months has been ordered to leave the country or face three months imprisonment and then a 10-year re-entry ban after the Home Office refused her the right to remain.

His solicitor has confirmed the couple have a strong case for a judicial review. Pauline first applied to the Home Office for permission to stay in the country in 2017 but was detained at Yarls Wood Immigration Removal centre for 24 days.

Bail was granted and the couple, who had been together for two years, were given permission to marry.

Grahame said: “Our marriage plans were delayed for three months as the Home Office failed to provide the photocopy of her confiscated passport but we were finally able to get married a week after Pauline’s bail.

Ignores

"The decision ignores our marriage and Pauline’s serious health issues and concludes that there would be no ‘insurmountable obstacles’ to us living in Jamaica, despite clear evidence to the contrary.

“Our solicitor immediately recommended a Judicial Review on the basis that they have completely ignored our evidence.

“This includes a powerful statement from a consulting psychiatrist directing the Home Office not to attempt Pauline’s removal. Pauline’s GP is so concerned that the matter is being referred to the British Medical Council.”

Pauline has not lived in Jamaica for more than 17 years and has strong links to the UK – her grandmothers were British and her grandfather fought with the Royal Navy in the Second World War.

Grahame added: “Like her previous applications this could take over a year with no guarantee of success.

“We call on the Home Office to reverse this cruel and inhumane decision.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “All applications are considered on their individual merits and in accordance with the immigration rules.

“Where an application has been refused and a person has no legal basis to remain in the UK, they should make arrangements to leave.”