A mother is making an emotional plea to the Home Office not to separate her family after receiving a notice to leave the UK within 14 days. Chamila Dilrakshi, a teaching assistant, and her three children are facing deportation to Sri Lanka, while her husband is permitted to remain in the country. The family, who has resided in the UK since 2022, is impacted by recent visa policy changes implemented by the Conservative government.
Expressing her distress, Chamila, 45, shared her disbelief at the decision to uproot her children, aged 12, nine, and eight, despite their legal entry into the UK. She emphasized the emotional toll it would take on her children, who have established connections and roots in the UK, a place they now consider home.
Highlighting the unfairness of the situation, Chamila stressed the importance of keeping her family together, especially for the well-being of her children. She urged the Home Office to acknowledge the family’s positive contributions to the community before enforcing their removal.
The family’s Member of Parliament, Victoria Collins, described Chamila and her husband as integral members of the community, with widespread support rallying behind them. Collins criticized the immigration system’s lack of fairness and empathy, emphasizing the need for a more compassionate approach towards families like Chamila’s.
The family’s journey to the UK began four years ago when Rasika pursued a Master’s degree at Northumbria University. While he secured a visa to work as a care worker, the family now faces uncertainty due to stringent visa regulations impacting dependents.
Colleagues and supporters of Chamila have called for her right to stay, and the family is appealing the decision. Changes in visa policies have affected care workers and their families, drawing criticism from migrant support groups for the harsh treatment faced by essential workers.
The Home Office refrained from commenting on individual cases but reiterated the importance of maintaining border control while welcoming contributions from individuals seeking a better life in the UK. Plans for significant legal migration reforms are underway to address challenges stemming from previous migration levels and ensure that settlement in the UK is earned through adherence to regulations and valuable contributions.