Elira and Tomor

My name is Elira and I came in UK in 2001 with my son. My partner Tomor, the father of my son came in UK in 1997. Both of us are from Kosovo and Tomor left our country to escape persecution and I to escape the effects of the after war and poverty. Each of us had separate asylum claims and we both are failed asylum seekers.

My partner feels really frustrated and angry with the way the Home Office dealt with his claim. He claimed asylum when it was the worst of conflict in Kosovo and he was here during the war, yet he was refused. The home office delayed his claim and by the time they looked into it (4 years later in 2001) they said that the war had stopped and it was safe to go back now. They forgot to consider what happened to him when he fled and came here and the after effect of that.
I was refused very quickly and I followed the appeal procedure until 2004 when I lost all appeal rights.

During all this time we have been living in fear, desperation and poverty. My partner works and we survive on his earnings only. He works with the ID he used to have from the home office initially and then using other documents. He is paid OK, we rent a room now but we have had to move different times.

My son is 18 years old and he goes in college. He made a claim on his name about three years ago and this gave him the opportunity to continue with his studies. He was given 1 year ELR and now that he turned 18 he as well is refused. His dream of studying at University (he is an excellent student) has been torn apart. He feels very connected to Britain as he has made a life for himself here. He has got all his friends here and he likes the way of living especially he has found without being prejudiced because of who you are. He has been accepted in the community.

My partner and I are also very much connected to UK. My partner has lived here for the last 10 years and I for nearly 6 years. My partner works and I go to college. I registered as a student there when I had NASS support and I continue every year in different levels of English. I have kept the SAL 2 document with photo issued by the Home Office when I claimed asylum and its what I use for college and GP. My partner and I are both fluent in English and have made English and British friends over the years. Although these friends know we are illegal here they have still supported us and we turn to them for help when we need it.

Being legalized would mean that we can live, work, travel and do everything freely. My son can study at University and I can work myself

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