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| Widow, daughters forced out of Scotland |
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 A mother and her two daughters are fighting to be allowed to return to Perth after stringent immigration laws forced them from Scotland. Nidhi Singh and daughters Kashish and Tanisha left their adopted country this year, following the death of Mrs Singh's husband Navjot. The Indian computer expert and his family came to Perth in 2004, and Kashish had been enrolled in a Perthshire primary school, while their second daughter was born in Scotland. Life took a tragic turn for the family when Mr Singh suffered a heart attack earlier this year and died at the age of 35. They were mere months away from having been eligible for permission to stay in the UK indefinitely, but following Mr Singh's death, his widow and daughters were instead forced to leave the country. Mrs Singh reluctantly agreed to return to India with her children as she did not want to remain in Scotland illegally. They left behind friends and their last ties to Mr Singh, whose ashes were scattered on the River Tay. However, Mrs Singh wants to return - which could be difficult because of immigration laws. The family's case has been taken up by Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart, who has worked on behalf of many constituents who have had difficulties with the Home Office, and who he believes have much to contribute to the local economy and community life. The family's case echoes that of Dr Swarthick Salins, who lived in Perth for nine years and had three Scots-born children, but was told he had to leave Britain due to immigration laws. The decision caused an outcry and, amid pressure from politicians including Mr Wishart and the public, the Home Office reviewed his case. Dr Salins was then told he could remain in the country. Mr Wishart said of this case: "The Singh family are in a dreadful situation. I am appalled by what has happened and this shows how bureaucratic and rigid the rules are. "Mrs Singh has a degree in electronics and communications and has a useful contribution to make to the Perth community. Her children have started their education here and know no other country. "Mrs Singh should be allowed to come back to the UK, without being subject to this officious nonsense." The new Australian-style points system, which has been recently brought in by the Home Office, requires new immigrants to amass enough points - based on factors such as a employment, skills shortages and community links - to gain entry to the UK. Wishart added: "The points-based system has made the situation worse for the type of people we want to keep in Scotland. What we want is to attract this type of person, not chase them away, because they are a few points too short. "Under the old system, it was based more on the merits of the case and there was more discretion. I have, for many years, been calling for immigration powers to be devolved to the Scottish parliament to re-invigorate the initiative. "The current system is suited to the south of England, where there is no shortage of immigrants. In Scotland, we have problems attracting suitably qualified people. This tragic case is just so unfair on this recently-bereaved family and I would like the Home Office to look more sympathetically on cases like this, without the full force of the rules being applied." Mr Wisharts involvement has been praised by family solicitor Paul Trodden, of McCash & Hunter. "Nidhi and the girls' right to remain died with Mr Singh," Mr Trodden said. "Had Navjot lived until now, he would have made an application for indefinite leave to remain, his family would have got indefinite leave to remain and everything would have been fine. "Unfortunately, the immigration rules changed recently and everything seems to be going against Mrs Singh." Trodden said a family member in the UK could sponsor the family allowing them to stay. However, he added: "Although Nidhi is qualified and has already worked... she is unlikely to be able to accumulate enough points under the new system to come back here. "We are therefore very grateful that Mr Wishart has decided to take up the family's case." - Story and picture courtesy: The Courier Related Articles:
Last update: 03-07-2009 13:48
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