We, the signatories to this petition, feel aggrieved by the decision of the immigration authorities to refuse Mr and Mrs Leo and Andrea Alonso the right to remain in the UK. We ask that they be granted the right to remain in the UK as they have been here for almost 9 years and have contributed to the community in numerous ways, i.e.

• Volunteer Gymnastic coach and Volleyball clubs in Perth and Crieff.

• Volunteer Teacher of Spanish in Strathearn night classes for adults.
• Youth club and Pathfinder club Leader at the Crieff Seventh-day Adventist Church.
• Voluntarily helping the aged members of the church with gardening and house cleaning.
• Two and a half years teaching Physical Education across Perth & Kinross Council after Mr Alonso completed a postgraduate degree in Sports Science.
• Has never been a financial drain on society has paid taxes and rented privately.
• Having lived in Crieff for almost 9 years and their son Rafael having been born locally in 2008
• Andrea was a volunteer Gym Instructor and Beauty Therapist at the Roundelwood Health and Leisure for a year.
• Being fully integrated into the local community.

We petition the Home Office that they be given leave to remain in the UK.

Gordon Banks (MP for Ochil and South Perthshire) wrote the following letter to the Home Secretary on the 26th of August 2010 explaining the background of the case (transcribed here with his permission).

Dear Home Secretary,
Mr Alonso first arrived in the UK in 2002 on 6 months permission to study English as a foreign language. This was subsequently extended through various application processes and Mr Alonso went on to complete a Post Graduate qualification at the University of Stirling Eventually, through the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme Mr Alonso was granted approval to remain till January 2010. On 15th December 2009, Mr Alonso reapplied for an extension of his approval to remain in the UK and this application was date stamped by UKBA as being received on this date. Nothing was heard, as far as I understand, till my office began to attempt to gather information from UKBA around March 2010. Sometime thereafter my office was advised that as a result of Mr Alonso not signing the cheque that accompanied his application, it had been refused consideration. Mr Alonso then processed another application with payment and received a determination on 17th August 2010 advising him of his failure to be granted leave to remain. The basis for this refusal appears to be rooted in Mr Alonso’s initial acceptance into the UK as a student and that it is expected that “the student intends to leave the UK on completion of their studies, therefore you should have had no legitimate expectation that further leave would be granted to you (and your spouse and child) at the end of your course of study.” However under the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme Mr Alonso was not a student and worked within the state education sector as shown below; Jan 2008-July 2008, Perth High School Aug 2008-July 2009- supply teacher for schools in Perth and Kinross Council area Aug 2009 – July 2010, Breadalbane Academy, Aberfeldy Anticipated from August 2010- July 2011, Breadalbane Academy, but unable to take this up due to UKBA ruling of 17/8/10. I fully accept that under the Fresh Talent: working in Scotland scheme Mr Alonso was entitled only to two years stay and thereafter would be expected to either leave the country or switch to one of the managed migration schemes. In effect this is what Mr Alonso has done but the ruling to refuse extension is referring back to his approval as a student, effectively as if the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme never existed. Whilst I recognise there is great interest in the immigration policy of the UK at all levels of our society I am disturbed that a family that has been in the UK for 8-9 years, with a child born in the UK, where Mr Alonso has been in paid employment and as a result paying UK taxes and where integration into the community has been so complete are caught up in the process in a way that will have negative impact on the family concerned and does nothing to recognise the Alonso family’s contribution to life in the UK I am aware that Mr Alonso has now been given to 15th September 2010 to leave the UK, as a result of his conversation with UKBA today. I am writing to you as Home Secretary, as Mr Alonso’s notification of decision, advises him that there is no right to appeal. Can I urge that Mr Alonso’s case is reviewed and that his application is reconsidered in light of his acceptance through the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme, his standing in the community, his commitment to be an active contributor to the UK and the fact that during his time in the UK he has as far as I am aware acted wholly appropriately in all matters. There are many member of the community in Crieff who fell aggrieved by the decision to refuse Mr Alonso the right to remain and I do hope for their sake as well as Mr Alonso’s that more appropriate solution can be reached. G Banks MP Ochil and South Perthshire.

We petition the Home Office that they be given leave to remain in the UK.