I met Alicia in Turin, Italy where I was working as a university lecturer in the University of Turin, Alicia had moved to Italy having trained as a lawyer in Venezuela, we feel in love in Italy, I continued teaching while Alicia both continued her studies and worked.

We then moved to Venezuela together where Alicia continued to practice law and I continued to teach in local communities.

At this time Venezuela fell into a politically unstable situation, where crime rates rose to the point that it was no longer safe to stay. We decided to leave Venezuela for the UK.

Since arriving in August 2015 I first started looking for work, it became clear I would be unable to teach as I had been doing overseas for 22 years. I was left with little choice but to take warehouse work with Amazon. I was then able to arrange Alicia's tourist visa, with Alicia arriving in February 2016, unfortunately Alicia's visa stopped her from being able to work, study or even volunteer.

We then started our spouse visa. Going through this process with our lawyer has cost us around £3,000.00, this was then subsequently refused, and Alicia was give 6 weeks to pack up her whole life and return to Venezuela.

By this time Venezuela had fallen into great difficulties, with inflation rates raising to over 1000%, we had to pack a suitcase full of woman’s products and deodorants as these are very difficult to come by in Venezuela. There is only water and electricity for a few hours a week, with days in-between each time they are available. My wife due to these circumstances, has become sick from malnutrition due to the lack of food products available & medications such as daily vitamins, even basic necessities like pain killers etc.

I have been working as much over time as Amazon would give me to be able to get my wages over the threshold they need to be for the next visa application, as well as sending money to Alicia to be able to live. I have spend months collecting all the required information, photos and intimate messages between Alicia and I to prove we have been married for many years.

Our application is now complete, but I need to raise £1,000 to complete our application, I have applied for loan and card but unfortunately been refused to date, because of the short time I have been back in the UK and my work situation.

I am extremely worried for Alicia’s safety and well being, now to the point that it is unsafe for her to leave the house she is staying, which is only now just being widely reported, I really want nothing more than for me and my wife Alicia to be safely reunited and for us to start our lives together in our home in the UK.