The petition
My name is Wanjiku Sondergaard a Kenyan married to a Danish citizen (we are currently separated) and have two lovely girls who are EU Nationals. We relocated to the UK from Denmark when my (then)husband was accepted as a student at a UK University. Due to this move, my application for a Permanent Residence Permit in Denmark became invalid.
The renewal of my permit to stay here in the UK has been pending for just under two years at the Home Office due to backlogs. This is despite the fact that the Home Office state on their website that passports and permits of EU family members should be returned within 6 months of receipt.
As I am still the spouse of an EU citizen, have resided in the UK for the last 5 years (in Europe for 8) and my children are EU Nationals, I believe that I qualify for residency, if not citizenship. The Home Offices' delay is interfering with several aspects of my personal life, like ability to open a bank account, getting a job and most importantly pursuing a University education. I have had to drop out of University as I will not be granted student loans for fees without the said Permit. This has greatly distressed me as I put in a lot of effort to gain entry into the University of Liverpool. I was determined to get Higher Education so that I could provide a better life, indepedently, for my children inspite of all odds.
In addition to this, my children and I cannot travel to visit our families in Europe and Kenya or go on holiday outside the UK without my Passport and Permit. We have no family here in England and at times one just needs that family support. In a way we are trapped and our life has been put on hold until the Home Office clears the backlog.
I feel that our civil as well as human rights are being overlooked. My children are EU nationals but because I do not have any status, they are restricted from excercising their rights as well.
The EU has no Laws in place to protect the Rights of the spouses of EU Nationals. Our Rights to exist in this society are dependent on us staying with even abusive partners.
On the other hand the Home Office has the facility to expedite a case so I am hereby, with this appeal, making an entreaty for my rights as the family of an EU National and mother to be respected by awarding me the long overdue permanent residence permit.
This petition will be sent to the EU MP in Liverpool, the EU Parliament and the Home Office.
If you support my efforts to:
1. Have my Passport and Permit returned
and
2. Be considered for government loans and grants for a University Education please add your signature to this petition.
***If you do sign; please do not forget to include your Country of Residence.
Thank you and Kind Regards
Wanjiku Sondergaard
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