THE case of a Manchester schoolboy fighting to stay in Britain is to be reviewed by the government.
Tony Lola, nine, and his mum Mireille fled the Democratic Republic of Congo because of the family's political activities.
Immigration officials have threatened the boy and his mother with deportation and disagree with their claims that they would face reprisals if they returned.
Following a huge campaign, solicitors acting for the family have lodged a fresh appeal to give the family leave to remain based on new evidence.
A 20-strong delegation of classmates and teachers from Tony's school, Didsbury C of E Primary, travelled to London to put his case to schools secretary Ed Balls.
Led by headteacher Matt Whitehead, the group presented a 2,000-signature petition and letters of support.
They were also shown around the House of Commons by MP John Leech, who agrees the family are at risk if they return to their homeland.
Evidence
Mr Whitehead said: "Solicitors have lodged a fresh appeal based on new evidence. Because of that the government is duty bound to review the case."
Tony, who speaks fluent English and French and has been living in Britain for three years, said he was stunned by the support from his friends.
He said: "It was very exciting to go to Parliament and meet the MPs. I explained about what happened to me and why I didn't want to go back to Africa. Everyone has helped and supported me. They have been signing the petition and getting other people to sign it."
Mireille, a hotel worker, fled to Britain in 2002 because of her support for a political party opposed to the rule of Congo president Joseph Kabila.
Tony was arrested and jailed for several weeks by police who were attempting to apprehend family members. Now they have been adopted by parents and teachers at the school and the local St James' and Emmanuel parish, which is organising the campaign to keep them in the country.
The Home Office was forced to halt deportations to the Democratic Republic of Congo two years ago after a High Court judge questioned the safety of sending asylum seekers back to the war-torn state. Immigration officials however maintain that the country is safe and have resumed deportations.
An estimated five million people died in fighting between Congolese forces and militia supported by neighbouring states in a conflict dubbed 'Africa's World War'. The Foreign Office still lists parts of the country as unsafe.
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Ace Shakespeare , manchester (31/03/2009 at 11:49)
The stinking kipper, pinned under the table (31/03/2009 at 11:55)
David, North M/C (31/03/2009 at 12:22)
Black Flag (31/03/2009 at 12:25)
Charity begins wherever the giver wants it to. However, what we are discussing here isn't charity, it is the ability to take other people's money and you appear to think you have some kind of moral entitlement to the money that people like me work to earn.
I'm all for more charity and less welfare, because it means that the money only goes to causes that the giver thinks are worthy and I have no doubt that far more will be willing to give to support this boy than to support you.
Joe Mercer's Ghost, Ramsbottom (31/03/2009 at 12:44)
So those politicians who are awake enough to realise what is going on, and that excludes most, should start making their own party fit to tackle this new wave of nationalism or they will find that Nick Griffin and his BNP party will provide the ONLY answer to most peoples perceived needs. And that WILL upset the Bishop of Manchester!
Yes this could be a tragic story if this little lad and his mum are deported and are subsequently persecuted, but we have so many more in this timy island that would not. And we have thousands that seem to hate our country (as the young girl featured yesterday convisted of distributing terrorist leaflets) but still stay.
We should be building 3 million homes every year to accomodate our ever increasing population but has anybody stopped to think why it's increasing at such a rate? Has anyone looked at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester and seen the birth rate explode amongst our immigrant friends, now born English with the right for their parents and all extended family to move into this island - How much does it cost the NHS every year for interpreters - millions that could be spent on actually improving the health care provided.
If we dont wake up soon this country will have civil war! and that's not scaremongering.
vinay, rochdale (31/03/2009 at 12:45)
Mike, Manchester (31/03/2009 at 12:45)
hulme hatter, M15 (31/03/2009 at 13:17)
Joe Mercer's Ghost, Ramsbottom (31/03/2009 at 13:18)
Now if you want a discussion on that topic - let's scap all benefits unless some work is done in exchange if you are able bodied. Every one that is capable of getting to the job centre is capable of doing something for their money however trivial and meaningless it may seem. The councils are always telling is that they haven't the staff to give us the services we expect for our massive council tax bills - so we have a "workforce" that is available for the current amount of money being given.
How many children's football teams use a pitch on a Saturday that is council owned, but the grass is rarely cut, or the white lines are not marked out. How many are full of dog dumps, broken bottles, litter. This is one small area that the "bone idle dole scoungers" could work on in exchange for their handouts. The long term sick, well they would be even more depressed if we stopped their "incapacity" benefits or threw them out of their 4 bedroom fully paid for council house - maybe then they would think twice about not getting off their backside and actually doing something.
I remember reading about that lass from Ramsbottom who was thrown off some talentless show whose family are so tired after watching telly all afternoon that they have to go and have a nap - stop their benefits!
And I could go on and on -
Benefits is a totally different issue to that of immigration - the trouble is there is only so much in the pot and today the pot is so much more empty than yesterday.
Hamish Macbeth, Whitefield (31/03/2009 at 13:25)
No - we need to cut back on all benefits...(1) So the taxpayer stops paying for our own native dole spongers,alcofrolics and druggies too lazy to get off their backside and (2) To stop an over-full country being flooded with more migrants claiming persecution - even though most have travelled here via safe EU and other safe countries.
We also need to cut back immediately on the benefits given to MPs - another leech on the back of the hard working UK taxpayer.
The lad should go back to the DRC - with the state of UK education thanks to Ed Balls and Co, he would probably get a better education there anyway.
The UK taxpayer is heartedly sick of carrying everyone elses burden on their back !
Jodie (31/03/2009 at 13:58)
Come-On-City. Manchester. (31/03/2009 at 14:39)
Well Ace, the facts dont really back up your assertion. The UN report on Migration 2005 puts France ahead of us in terms of the number of migrants and Germany over double the number of migrants.
Spain is not far behind Britain, no doubt from the number of Brit's heading there each year refusing to intergrate, learn the language and turning towns into English ghettos.
(source: www.un.org/esa/population/publications/migration/UN_Migrant_Stock_Documentation_2005.pdf)
Ace writes: We are finding it harder to feed ourselves and educate our children
Is this the fault of migrants or immigrants? Or this to do with British bankers and the British government?
Allowing this bright child to stay is not wasting resources, this country needs bright prospects like this child if the economy is to recover so we can help repair schools etc.
Come-On-City. Manchester. (31/03/2009 at 14:47)
If the messages these posters have made about the BNP over many months are correct then the BNP should have no problem with this as the mother is working. Afterall haven't posters said 'they have no problem with people coming here, working and contributing?' Or do they just have a problem with foreign people in general?
Second, the child speaks English and French fluently (two more fluent languages than some posters on here). So why have people posted about interpreters?
Ace Shakespeare , manchester (31/03/2009 at 15:47)
Maybe if people like yourselves started to back our own children in schools and stopped worrying about feeding/educating the rest of the world at the cost of our tapayers and children maybe we wouldnt be in such a mess.Onc again charity begins at home and we need to stop allowing people to walk into britain.And receive "Everything on a plate" .
hulme hatter, M15 (31/03/2009 at 16:01)
Come-On-City. Manchester. (31/03/2009 at 20:11)
Where in this article does it say this family recieved 'Everything on a plate?"
The mother works, and the child is doing very well in school. How does this detriment 'our own'?
As for the 'mess' of this country as you say I think the government, corporate greed, the bankers and financial investors have more to do with it than a minority of migrants.
Worrying about feeding/educating the rest of the world is not just a British thing and in any case costs a pittance compared to how much we have bailed out the already rich.
David, North M/C (01/04/2009 at 00:22)
Jodie (01/04/2009 at 12:09)
I don't see what the problem is here. His mother works, The little lad is doing well in school and they have fled a country where they were at risk of harm. Why does everyone go up in arms about helping people from "other countries". As far as I am concerned he is living in this country and making the best of his prospects. Good Luck to him and his family.
Come-On-City. Manchester. (01/04/2009 at 13:01)
I am liberal, not neccessarily to the left though as Im not in favour of socialism.
Yes I have.
If you feel so strongly about this set up your own blog and you can write what you wish. Post me the link and I'd be interested in your opinion of me.