Thousands of migrant single mothers working in the UK’s care sector have been denied visas for their children due to the UK’s restrictive immigration policies, particularly the sole responsibility requirement. A new report highlights the systemic discrimination and distress caused by these policies, urging the government to implement fairer immigration measures.
Children Left Behind Despite Previous Entitlements
A report by Women of Zimbabwe (WoZ) and Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) reveals that over 2,000 single mothers, who arrived in the UK on health and care worker visas before 11 March 2024, have had visa applications for their children rejected. According to the Home Office, there are no ‘compelling reasons’ to grant visas for the children. The Home Office cites the ‘sole responsibility’ rule as the primary reason for refusals, which requires a parent in the UK to prove they have exclusive parental responsibility.
Unfair Burden of Proof and Cultural Misinterpretation
The report criticises the Home Office for placing an unreasonable burden on single mothers, requiring them to provide near-impossible evidence that the child’s other parent plays no role in their life.
It also highlights how cultural norms are misinterpreted during visa assessments. For instance, in Zimbabwe, children often take their father’s surname even if he is not involved in their upbringing. Additionally, Zimbabwean law mandates a father’s attendance at custody hearings, yet the Home Office has viewed this as evidence of active parenting.
Inconsistent Decision-Making and Emotional Toll
The report further exposes inconsistencies in visa decisions, with identical evidence leading to different outcomes.
“One mother was forced to track down her child’s father for an official statement confirming he was uninvolved. The Home Office then used this new contact as grounds to refuse the visa,” WoZ and ACTSA stated.
The consequences for affected families are severe, with many mothers forced to leave their children with elderly relatives or neighbours.
“The assumption that African children can be separated from their primary caregivers thousands of miles away is not only outdated but harmful.” WoZ and ACTSA
Calls for Urgent Policy Reform
The report demands a review of Home Office policies affecting health and social care workers who arrived before March 2024. Key recommendations include:
- Reassessing over 500 refused or pending child visa applications on compassionate grounds.
- Clarifying ambiguous terms such as ‘sole responsibility’ and accepting consent orders from local courts.
- Extending evidence submission deadlines from 10 to 15 working days.
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