An investigation into UK Visas and Immigration’s handling of Windrush man’s status

The complaint

5. Ms V complained on behalf of her late father Mr V, and herself, that: 

  • Immigration Enforcement wrongly sent letters via Capita to Mr V, saying he had no status when he had been granted indefinite leave to enter the UK on 23 June 2015.  
  • UKVI and Immigration Enforcement wrongly classified Mr V as having no status to remain in the UK and on 5 May 2016 Immigration Enforcement told him he would be deported when he had been granted indefinite leave to enter the UK. 

  • UKVI asked Mr V to again prove his residence in the UK when he applied in May 2017 for a biometric residence card. 

  • UKVI again asked Mr V to prove his residence in the UK when he later applied for British nationality in June 2018. 

  • UKVI and Immigration Enforcement delayed dealing with Mr V’s initial complaint of 28 November 2018. 

  • UKVI and Immigration Enforcement provided inadequate responses to both Mr V’s complaints. 

6. Ms V said when her father first told her he was being deported he was in a state of shock and confusion. She said what happened had a profound effect on his physical and mental well-being and he became depressed and anxious. She said he had always been a social, active and very confident man but he began to feel helpless and oppressed and became depressed. 

Ms V said this continued further when he had his driving licence taken away from him – he had been forcibly stripped of his one last freedom and enjoyment. She said communication from her father lessened and he became withdrawn and immobile and was confined to the area around his house. She said seeing her father slowly breakdown in this way was heart-breaking. 

7. Ms V sought an explanation as to why her father’s case was so mishandled, an apology and compensation. She would like changes to be made to ensure that Immigration Enforcement and UKVI do not mishandle future cases and deal with complainants properly.