Samuel Frimpong, a Ghanaian fraudster deported in 2013, is allowed to return to the UK as an immigration judge ruled separation from his family led to depression. The decision was based on Article 8 of the ECHR regarding family life. Frimpong’s case reflects ongoing issues within the UK’s immigration laws and human rights debates.
Samuel Frimpong, a Ghanaian man who was deported from the United Kingdom in 2013 following a conviction for using a fraudulent document, has been granted the right to return to Britain. An immigration tribunal found that his deportation unjustly interfered with his family life, leading to significant psychological distress for Frimpong and his children.
The tribunal discovered that Frimpong had endured a profoundly depressive existence in Ghana, compounded by the separation from his family. His two children, aged 11 and 15, who were born after his conviction, experienced social isolation associated with their father’s absence, exacerbating their distress at school as they struggled to understand and explain his situation to peers.
Initially, Frimpong’s appeal was denied by a first-tier immigration tribunal. However, Judge Abid Mahmood at an upper tribunal hearing overturned this decision, emphasizing that the refusal of the Home Office to revoke the deportation order conflicted with the family’s rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Judge Mahmood acknowledged the strong public interest in maintaining immigration control, yet determined that deporting Frimpong would cause undue hardship to his family. The impact of this separation was further illustrated by testimonies detailing the emotional and social ramifications faced by his children, who expressed longing for their father’s presence.
Frimpong’s wife recounted the family’s struggles, including their eviction from their home which forced the children to change schools. She remarked on their emotional plea for Frimpong’s return and noted the family’s financial difficulties that hindered travel back to Ghana. Despite the serious nature of Frimpong’s previous offenses, the judge highlighted a lack of reoffending since 2008 and underscored efforts Frimpong made to rehabilitate and assist others in his community.
Consequently, Frimpong, who is a pastor and had been pursuing an accounting career before his deportation, is now eligible to apply for entry clearance to return to the UK.
The case of Samuel Frimpong highlights the complexities of immigration law and human rights, illustrating the delicate balance between public interest and individual rights. The tribunal’s decision reflects an increasing sensitivity towards the emotional impact of family separation, particularly in cases involving children. Frimpong’s ability to return to the UK underlines the ongoing challenges faced by the immigration system regarding deportation and human rights considerations.
Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
