Immigration officers ordering an Iranian family out of Britain were stopped in their tracks when confronted by a TV documentary crew.
Officials visited the home of a 10-year-old boy, known as Child M, and his family to issue deportation papers.
But their visit came as the family, who cannot be named, were giving an interview for Channel 4’s Dispatches series.
Camera crews, filming a programme about children in the immigration system, continued to record as the ‘flustered’ officers tried to issue the papers.
They eventually left the home, but ordered the family to report to an immigration centre in Salford next week.
Child M’s family insist they are in danger if they return to Iran because copies of Salman Rushdie’s controversial Satanic Verses were found in their home. But Home Office officials do not accept their story, although the family say they have evidence and are seeking a review of their case.
The boy’s family, including his 49-year-old mum, 24-year-old sister and brother, 18, have been living in Gorton since 2007. The boy attends school there.
Campaigner Denise McDowell, a friend of the family, said: "The Home Office came to the house to issue them with removal documents. Channel 4 were filming at the time and have got footage of what was said. The immigration officers did not want to carry on with the cameras running and were apparently a bit flustered. Hopefully it will end up in the documentary as it will show people what happens."
The programme is set to be broadcast later this year.
The UK Borders Agency is trialling a new scheme in the north west to fast-track failed refugees out of the country.
Families who have exhausted the asylum appeals process are being given four weeks’ notice to leave before being forcibly flown out.
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These illegals should be taken into custody immediately and flown out of britain within 12 hours .They should have no other options once they have been told they are to leave..
I agree that London & the South are overcrowded, but doesn't Manchester & the North need "more families" who want to live and work here?
Let them stay.
Mark, not sure if you are adjacent to the facts around unemployment in the area. We most definitely do not need families who, in the main, will draw more from DWP and HMRC than they will pay in.
May I suggest then that Denise McDowall and all members of said TV crew pay for the upkeep of this family for as long as they remain here, which unfortunately will probably be forever? That way hopefully no more of our precious taxes will be squandered on them and more will go towards our pensioners, who have after all paid in all their lives.
TV crews intefering with the "due process" of the law should be jailed .And officers from the police or immigration should not be filmed under the secrets act. The Lunatic media will do anything to keep these asylem seekers in britain.We have enough people in britain we dont need yet even more leeching from the taxpayers of britain.
Yet again another Asylum seeking family from Iran are trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the UK Border agency, the british government, & more importantly the British TAXPAYERS! It's about time this coalition government get together & put a stop to this. SEND THEM BACK HOME TO IRAN. IMMEDIATELY. We CANNOT AFFORD to look after these hoodwinkers.
Do you really think that the family will report to an immigration centre in Salford next week ?????, my money is on them doing a quick dissapearing act !!! Should have sent them back there and then !!!