Migrant Voice has launched a campaign to fight against the 'deportation' of Gurmit Kaur.

A claim the Home Office says is incorrect who say they are happy to speak to Ms Kaur Sahota 'on next steps to resolve this matter'.

Gurmit Kaur, aged 75 is an undocumented migrant living in Smethwick for over 10 years.  She has been living in fear of being “forcibly removed” to India, a country where Gurmit she says has no family.

For the last decade, Gurmit has been committed to being a vital part of her local community, helping feed people at her local temple. Smethwick is her home.

Gurmit came to the UK in 2009 and Smethwick has been home to her ever since.

Gurmit applied to stay in the UK in 2010 but has been refused, India. She was 65 at the time. She then received letters from UK Visas and Immigration (previously UK Border Agency) threatening to deport her. Fearful of these threats, she did not contact the Home Office again until this year. She has had no correspondence or communication with them since 2013 and has struggled to understand why she’s been refused.

Gurmit Kaur said: “If I was to return to India, I would have nowhere to go and no home to return to, and I have no family there.

“Being here in Smethwick is my true home, it’s where I work to help the community, it’s where I give back, it’s where I know and love the people who have become my family. This is the society I am part of and the place I have made my home.

“I have spent my life helping and giving to others and want to be able to continue to do this. But as I’m getting older, my community want to help me stay here and support me, this is why they are rallying behind me and I’m deeply touched by this campaign.”

Migrant Voice is urging the Home Office to grant Gurmit Kaur Leave to Remain in the UK. An online petition opened on Sunday (July 19th) has already gained over 50,000 signatures.

Nazek Ramadan, Director of Migrant Voice, said, "We're standing with Gurmit Kaur because, like so many undocumented migrants in the UK, this country is her home and she's a deeply valued member of her community. 

“We urge the Home Office to regularise her status, and that of all undocumented migrants in the UK, so that she and thousands like her can live without fear of being detained and deported, and protect themselves and their families, especially during this pandemic."

A Home Office spokesperson said ,“The Home Office has not contacted Ms Kaur Sahota since 2013, so it is wrong to claim we have been pursuing deportation.

“We are happy to speak to Ms Kaur Sahota on next steps to resolve this matter.”