Bangura faces deportation threat

[dww]

From the BBC
Watford midfielder Alhassan Bangura faces an Asylum and Immigration Tribunal on Monday to see if he can stay in the United Kingdom.

The 19-year-old came to Britain from Sierra Leone in 2003 and was given limited discretionary leave to stay.

But the Secretary of State has rejected a bid to regularise his status.

"His compassionate circumstances clearly warrant his continued stay in the United Kingdom," said club legal representative, Chris Pelentrides.

"He has built up his life, having established great ties here, including a family life with his partner and a profession."

Watford MP Clare Ward said the threat to Bangura was "harsh and unfair".

She told BBC 3CR: "This is a young man who came to this country under very difficult circumstances and as an under-18."

"He clearly has an incredible talent which has been spotted and in that sense he was fortunate.

"He has made a very good life for himself and is a significant contributor to the UK economy and to my local economy as a constituent."

Bangura has made 24 league starts for the Hornets, scoring once, since joining the club in April 2005.

[dww]

The story of how he ended up at Watford is here.

This seems completely unreasonable to me. I have no idea what the government would hope to gain by taking such action.

[dww]

This is quite a shocking decision.
Bangura loses deportation hearing
Alhassan Bangura
Bangura is set to be deported back to Sierra Leone
Watford's Al Bangura faces deportation to Sierra Leone after losing his case to stay in the UK at an Asylum and Immigration Tribunal hearing.

The 19-year-old, who became a father only nine days ago, will launch an immediate appeal against the decision, with the full support of his club.

He arrived from Sierra Leone four years ago, escaping civil war, and was given limited discretionary leave to stay.

But now the Home Office will initiate moves to remove him from the country.

Watford chairman Graham Simpson told 5 Live: "This is a young man who pays his taxes, came over here as a 15-year-old under appalling circumstances from Sierra Leone, has made a life for himself, done something very special and has the talent as well.


We've been sent a document with the reasons why he's being deported and they are ridiculous

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd

"That's the saddest thing of all. If he goes back there he will probably not be able to come back, and if he doesn't come back he will never have the opportunity to do what he's doing so well as a young footballer. That's a tragedy."

Watford's head of football operations Iain Moody said: "This is terrible news for Al and a big shock to everyone at the club.

"We will continue to fight this case and have full confidence that common sense and justice will prevail and Al will be allowed to continue his life in this country.

"We have been fortunate to count on the support of Watford MP Claire Ward in making representations to the Home Office on Al's behalf and we look forward to continue working with her on this."

Bangura fears a return to his homeland, where he could be under threat from the Soko tribe, formerly led by his late father.

Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd had said being sent home would be an "absolute disaster" for Bangura.


Al Bangura has built up his life, having established great ties here, including a family life with his partner and a profession

Watford legal representative Chris Pelentrides

"After the immigration hearing I said that I had faith in British justice but obviously I was totally mistaken because it's a completely ludicrous decision," he said.

"This country, great as it once was, seems to allow anybody in to send benefits wherever they fancy and we have one young man here who pays his taxes, has a fiancee and a newborn son and somebody somewhere thinks it's a good decision to send him back to Sierra Leone.

"We've been sent a document with the reasons why he's being deported and they are ridiculous."

Club legal representative Chris Pelentrides insisted there was a compelling case for Bangura to be allowed to stay in the country.

"His compassionate circumstances clearly warrant his continued stay in the United Kingdom," he said.

"He has built up his life, having established great ties here, including a family life with his partner and a profession."

Before the ruling, Watford MP Ward told BBC 3CR: "He has made a very good life for himself and is a significant contributor to the UK economy and to my local economy as a constituent."

Bangura has made over 50 appearances, scoring one goal, since joining the club in April 2005.

[Milan_Milan]

Doesn't really seem fair does it, faces threats from gangs if he goes back to Sierra Leone and has been living here for a while, making a significant contribution to the community.

I fear a high profile individual is being made an example of.

[Scratch]

If he draws his case out for another year, thus giving him 5 year residency, will he be entitled to apply for a British passport?

[cumbriankop]

if he's engaged the best thing he can do is get married. after 7 years naturalisation it's normally granted your a citizen of that state, but given his entry conditions, 5 years means he'll probably have to apply for citizenship.

[Kenneth]

Ship him back.

[Joe King]

That is unfair. He does more than the bums that sit on their arses and collect benefits even though they can get a job.

[Colemere]

Sorry, but this is wrong, the man has a stable wage and is paying 20% tax, more than some other immigrants do.

[Joe King]

Sorry, but this is wrong, the man has a stable wage and is paying 20% tax, more than some other immigrants do.

According to the chairman, he is paying more near 40%

[andyinswinton]

It is a crazy decision when you consider that there are plenty of people living here illegally who have committed crimes and have yet to be deported.

For somebody to come here, forge a career and in the meantime live within this society and abide by this countrys law and then be deported is just plain wrong.

[Darth Marty]

Its just another decision that makes a mockery of our once great Country.

Common sense seems to have been completely forgotten and its damn annoying.

[kewellnthegang]

Ship him back.