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GBR | Jun 16, 2021

UK Home Office abandons plans for Jamaica deportation of 22-year-old autistic, Osime Brown

/ Our Today

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Campaign to halt his deportation successful

The United Kingdom Home Office has reportedly abandoned plans to deport to Jamaica, 22-year-old man, Osime Brown, who is autistic.

The about-turn by the Home Office follows widespread criticism at the announcement that Brown, who left Jamaica at age four to settle in the UK with his mother, Joan Martin will be deported.

Brown has been diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and has a heart condition, was facing deportation after being released from prison. He was serving a sentence for stealing a friend’s mobile phone, though he and others said he did not do it.

Martin has been fighting to halt her son’s deportation and a campaign against it had been gathering momentum, with demonstrations held in London and Glasgow at the weekend. His case gained the support of many Members of Parliament including Diane Abbott, John McDonnell and Claudia Webbe, the Labour peer, Alf Dubs and the former archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.

Martin elated at Home Office about-turn

The Guardian UK newspaper reported today that the Home Office abandoned its plans to deport him. Martin cried, “Our fight shows you should never give up. The Home Office has made the right decision to allow Osime to stay with his loving, caring family.”

She expressed her gratitude to the many supporters who campaigned alongside her family to keep her son in the UK and also spoke warmly of the Home Office. Brown had been sentenced to five years for robbery, attempted robbery and perverting the course of justice.

Martin said that as well as being innocent of the crime of which he was convicted, her son’s complex needs meant it would be impossible for him to survive alone in Jamaica, where he had no friends, family or support network.

The immigration tribunal had given the Home Office a deadline of today to review its decision to proceed with Brown’s deportation. Officials said they were no longer proceeding with the plans.

A Home Office spokesperson said, “In order to protect the public it is right that foreign nationals, convicted of crimes with prison sentences of 12 months or more, are automatically considered for deportation under the 2007 Borders Act. The Home Office reviews all cases when new information is provided and all decisions are made in accordance with the law.”

In her response Martin remarked, “I will respond with love because we know no other way. Thank you for allowing my son to stay in his home and in the only country he has ever truly known. We are grateful. This goes to show that you can respond in a dynamic and just way. God bless you.”

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