A Palestinian academic’s attempt to bring his family to the UK has been denied by the Home Office, which determined their case was not urgent and that his children should remain with their mother in Gaza. Bassem Abudagga was also informed that his wife must attend a visa application centre (VAC) in Gaza for fingerprinting, despite no such facility currently operating there.
Home Office Decision Criticized
The Home Office stated in a letter to Abudagga that no “sufficiently compelling” reason had been found to waive the requirement for his wife to attend a VAC. This decision comes despite ongoing Israeli bombardments in Gaza, a fact Abudagga says the Home Office is aware of. He last saw his wife, Marim, son Karim, six, and daughter Talya, 10, four weeks before the October 7 attack in 2023, when he returned to Gaza for a visit.
Abudagga, a PhD student at York St John University, is described by his tutors as a model student. His family home has been destroyed, and they are currently living in a camp near the sea.
“I felt my final hope of being reunited with my wife and children after more than three years had been lost,” Abudagga told the Guardian. His wife reportedly said, “It seems we will never meet again. Don’t make any more efforts to bring us to the UK because it seems the UK will never get us there. Just keep concentrating on your studies.”
Security Concerns Raised
The Home Office letter also indicated consideration of whether the family’s circumstances “outweigh the interests of national and border security,” implying they did not. Abudagga expressed disbelief that bringing his family to the UK was linked to UK security and that the children were considered better off remaining in Gaza. He stated he had expected the British government to prioritize family life and human rights.
Abudagga had requested a decision in principle on his family’s visa applications before requiring his wife to attend a VAC, hoping to then seek assistance from the Foreign Office for evacuation to a country where she could complete the process. This request was also denied.
The Home Office stated it was “not satisfied that their circumstances are sufficiently compelling” to deviate from standard policy requiring a VAC visit. It also noted Abudagga’s intention to eventually return to Gaza if a home were available, deeming his stay in the UK temporary and justifying his children remaining with their mother.
The Home Office acknowledged the difficult circumstances in Gaza, including displacement and limited access to necessities, but maintained it was “not satisfied” that the case was urgent or that the family reunion could not be delayed until it was safe to visit a VAC.
Legal sources indicate a recent toughening of Home Office responses in immigration and asylum cases, potentially linked to the rise of Reform UK, with many cases involving Palestinians in Gaza.
Abudagga reports his wife and children are facing dire conditions, including food shortages, cold weather, and constant fear of bombardment despite the ceasefire. His wife is also mourning the recent death of her father.
A similar case involving another PhD student who was allowed to complete biometrics in Jordan and subsequently evacuated with her family had raised Abudagga’s hopes.
The Home Office was approached for comment regarding the lack of a functioning VAC in Gaza. Abudagga’s local MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey, has written to the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, urging reconsideration, but the decision remains unchanged. Abudagga is now being represented by the human rights firm Leigh Day, who will challenge the Home Office’s refusal.
Sarah Crowe, a human rights lawyer at Leigh Day, stated the Home Office’s decision-making was “plainly unlawful” and that the family’s applications should be predetermined in line with policy.
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