In 2015, while living in South Africa, my wife and I started the process of adopting a beautiful little boy who came into our lives, while working with some children's charities there. We named him Harrison.
He has been with us since he was 6 weeks old and we and our two other sons are the only family he has ever known! His adoption was meant to be completed in South Africa before we returned to the UK but due to rule changes in South Africa, we had to return before this could be done and change the process to an international adoption.
He entered the country with us legally in December 2016 but the Home Office has now decided he should return to South Africa until his adoption is completed as they are unwilling to extend his current visa.
It is impossible for any family to send their 2 year old son back to another country and away from everyone he knows and loves. It is something we are just not willing to do but may have to if we can not raise the £40,000 funds required for the legal battle to have him remain with us.
The Home Office have told us that we need to retain an Immigration lawyer at the cost of £18,000 as well as resubmission of his application of leave to remain at an additional cost of £2500. The process may take two years with an estimated cost of £40,000. Without this the Home Office have demanded we remove Harrison from the UK immediately.
Thank you for your time in reading this and any support would be appreciated.