Wife of seriously ill British man threatened with deportation as husband ‘fears for his life’

Exclusive: Mark Leonardi, who suffers from end-stage kidney disease and epilepsy, left feeling ‘lost’ after his wife of four years was detained in Yarl’s Wood and threatened with removal to Thailand

May Bulman Social Affairs Correspondent

 

Mr and Ms Leonardi met 15 years ago and got married in 2015 ( Mark Leonardi )

 

A seriously ill British man says he is fearing for his life after the Home Office detained his wife and threatened her with imminent deportation

 

Mark Leonardi, 62, who suffers from end-stage kidney disease and epilepsy, said he had no one to care for him after his wife of four years and sole carer, Ngam Ngon Leonardi, was detained in Yarl’s Wood two weeks ago and told she would be removed to her native Thailand.

 

Ms Leonardi, 52, was set to be deported at 4pm on Tuesday, but less than two hours before the flight – and shortly after The Independent approached the Home Office for comment on the case – her removal was deferred. She is still being held in detention and is liable for deportation.

 

MPs and charities argued that the decision to detain and deport Ms Leonardi was in “nobody’s interest” and said it was “beyond the pale” for the Home Office to separate a wife who cares for her sick husband.

 

Full story: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/wife-deportation-removal-home-office-thailand-mark-ngam-ngon-leonardi-a9027421.html

 

-- INDEPENDENT 2019-07-31

"They came to the UK last May, with a plan to go back to Thailand after Ms Leonardi’s six-month tourist visa expired."

 

Under the circumstances, she should obviously be allowed to stay in the UK to look after her husband but would a foreigner on a tourist visa in Thailand be allowed the same?

Whilst I sympathise with them the article is incomplete. 

Was it an "informal marriage". I believe wives are given passports. Last May? Surely not 2 months ago. She must be on overstay. How was she picked up? Mostly its because they are caught working. Thai restaurant? 

Good news is that deportees are flown out free. 

I hope that it's sorted for them but not disappointed that UK is tightening up. 

24 minutes ago, Scutty said:

The UK is now a fascist and racist state and its going to get a lot worse . What with trump in USA and now our very own tin pot trump is that arse Johnson and the far right milkshake Farage rearing their ugly heads ....thank god for Thailand .

What on earth are you talking about!! I think you have the UK and Thailand mixed up.

 Wife not have the right living with husband ? This is madness.

1 hour ago, Scutty said:

The UK is now a fascist and racist state and its going to get a lot worse . What with trump in USA and now our very own tin pot trump is that arse Johnson and the far right milkshake Farage rearing their ugly heads ....thank god for Thailand .

The UK is now a fascist and racist state...

History says it was always that.

1 hour ago, Topdoc said:

"They came to the UK last May, with a plan to go back to Thailand after Ms Leonardi’s six-month tourist visa expired."

 

Under the circumstances, she should obviously be allowed to stay in the UK to look after her husband but would a foreigner on a tourist visa in Thailand be allowed the same?

only after lots of drama, paper work, bank details, document translations, more TM forms than you could jump over all at the whim of the IO - then maybe it might be considered and then maybe not.  

1 hour ago, Lemonltr said:

Whilst I sympathise with them the article is incomplete. 

Was it an "informal marriage". I believe wives are given passports. Last May? Surely not 2 months ago. She must be on overstay. How was she picked up? Mostly its because they are caught working. Thai restaurant? 

Good news is that deportees are flown out free. 

I hope that it's sorted for them but not disappointed that UK is tightening up. 

Did you read the article?

Married in 2015,  travelled often between UK and Thailand.

Applied  for long term immigrant visa when he became seriously ill; she wasn't caught for working.

Application refused and deportation ordered.

The FO shows its stupidity by claiming that he could receive treatment in Thailand, without mentioning he would have to pay for it privately.

32 minutes ago, ICELANDMAN said:

 Wife not have the right living with husband ? This is madness.

It was quite likely that they had a Thai "village marriage" unregistered and not valid in the UK. But like you I'm not sure nor informed. 

Let her stay - its the right thing to do

Yes, it is a heartless decision and I wish her the best of luck in being released to resume her husbands care. As has been pointed out, had the same thing occurred in Thailand the offending person would have been deported, probably with a big fanfare Press conference from the arresting officers. England is not Thailand though, and we are supposed to be respected for our moral values. Extenuating circumstances are something the UK is supposed to consider, and in this case, it is tough to argue that there aren't any.

Just now, darksidedog said:

Yes, it is a heartless decision and I wish her the best of luck in being released to resume her husbands care. As has been pointed out, had the same thing occurred in Thailand the offending person would have been deported, probably with a big fanfare Press conference from the arresting officers. England is not Thailand though, and we are supposed to be respected for our moral values. Extenuating circumstances are something the UK is supposed to consider, and in this case, it is tough to argue that there aren't any.

Lets not base immigration standards on the Thai model which promotes racism and bigotry and no compassion or common sense. 

56 minutes ago, ICELANDMAN said:

 Wife not have the right living with husband ? This is madness.

I see what you did there.. ????

1 hour ago, thirdleg said:

What on earth are you talking about!! I think you have the UK and Thailand mixed up.

I agree with the original poster and I am living in the UK - at least this is the general direction it seems to be heading in if you look at who the clown (Johnson) has appointed to his cabinet.  I am stuck here for health reasons but if I could get out before the brexit mess concludes I would.

43 minutes ago, ravip said:

The UK is now a fascist and racist state...

History says it was always that.

Think you should look across the English channel first before you make daft statements about the UK...

Heartless - yes.

BUT

She is an overstayer on her visa and has refused to leave. If it was allowed without a fight then hundreds of thousands would do the same thing - I would use it myself ! 

And what if she gets pregnant ? Is she allowed to stay now as she has given birth to a UK citizen with nobody to take care of them ? 

My own view, is that if you can prove you have a wife of say 10-15 years, and lived with such wherever in the world that visa regulations should not apply to you if one of you are a UK citizen. That way you would know you could relax knowing in old age you could return to the UK. In cases of sickness - like this - then temporary 'end of life' year long visas should be allowed, but with conditions applied.

 

 

8 minutes ago, gbswales said:

I agree with the original poster and I am living in the UK - at least this is the general direction it seems to be heading in if you look at who the clown (Johnson) has appointed to his cabinet.  I am stuck here for health reasons but if I could get out before the brexit mess concludes I would.

What has Brexit got to do with racism and fascism.

The UK is one of the most tolerant countries in the world and fought against fascism, losing thousands upon thousands of lives.

I think you need to have a think about that. 

 

Come to Thailand and see some real racism and fascism where foreigner's movements are tracked every 24 hours by a Junta govt

1 hour ago, Lemonltr said:

Whilst I sympathise with them the article is incomplete. 

Was it an "informal marriage". I believe wives are given passports. Last May? Surely not 2 months ago. She must be on overstay. How was she picked up? Mostly its because they are caught working. Thai restaurant? 

Good news is that deportees are flown out free. 

I hope that it's sorted for them but not disappointed that UK is tightening up. 

Read the article completely - came to uk last May on 6 month tourist visa, planned to go back to Thailand after.  Husband fell ill during that 6 months and she applied for longer term status.  Application rejected 3 months later.  Detained while reporting to Home Office not working at a Thai restaurant as you claim.

 

While the Home Office accepted the couple had a “genuine and subsisting” relationship, it said the treatment for Mr Leonardi’s medical condition was available in Thailand, adding: “Even if this was not the case, it is open to [Mr Leonardi] to remain in the UK to receive the medical treatment he needs, while [Ms Leonardi] returns to Thailand to obtain the correct entry clearance.”

 

Home Office wants him to apply for a Thai visa, with all its attendant paperwork, Imm Dept rigmarole and costs to go and seek medical treatment in a foreign country.  Imm Dept here would love that!  Alternatively his wife and carer is expected to go back to Thailand and apply for a visa from the British Embassy with nobody there to assist.

 

Wives of UK nationals are not given passports, that stopped in the early 80's; now they must apply to stay and the couple must show an income of approx. 18k stg per year (hope my recollection is correct).

2 hours ago, Topdoc said:

"They came to the UK last May, with a plan to go back to Thailand after Ms Leonardi’s six-month tourist visa expired."

 

Under the circumstances, she should obviously be allowed to stay in the UK to look after her husband but would a foreigner on a tourist visa in Thailand be allowed the same?

I am sure that in such circumstances the Thai authorities would let a spouse stay on humanitarian basis. Quite frankly, the UK immigration laws are inhuman in as much as they make it practically impossible for UK nationals to stay married to a foreigner and live in the UK, unless they are financially well off. Isn't a poor man or woman allowed to marry a non British partner and live at home. I know the Thai laws also don't allow this unless the partner has a certain income, but even at the low rate of exchange of the Pound there is still a huge difference between the financial requirements in the UK and Thailand. Reading the stories about people being deported from the UK (read the SUN or the Independent) , I can only say that this is an utter disgrace. The Thai regulations, which are being described as anti expatriates, are simply extra generous compared to the UK.

2 hours ago, Topdoc said:

Under the circumstances, she should obviously be allowed to stay in the UK to look after her husband but would a foreigner on a tourist visa in Thailand be allowed the same?

Foreign man, no.

Foreign woman, yes.

 

It's very easy for a foreign female married to a Thai man to get VISAs and citizenship.

Almost no financials required, except the Thai husband must have a job.

11 minutes ago, gbswales said:

I agree with the original poster and I am living in the UK - at least this is the general direction it seems to be heading in if you look at who the clown (Johnson) has appointed to his cabinet.  I am stuck here for health reasons but if I could get out before the brexit mess concludes I would.

Then first you must think WHY you are in the UK and WHY you must stay there...

 

Are you being taken care of for free by any chance..?

2 hours ago, Scutty said:

The UK is now a fascist and racist state and its going to get a lot worse . What with trump in USA and now our very own tin pot trump is that arse Johnson and the far right milkshake Farage rearing their ugly heads ....thank god for Thailand .

The UK has always deported overstayers , you are just using this story for you own political means 

31 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

 As has been pointed out, had the same thing occurred in Thailand the offending person would have been deported,

Pointed out wrongly,

Foreign wives of Thai men have no problems staying in Thailand or getting citizenship.

5 minutes ago, abrahamzvi said:

I am sure that in such circumstances the Thai authorities would let a spouse stay on humanitarian basis. 

What makes you so sure of that ?

6 minutes ago, abrahamzvi said:

I am sure that in such circumstances the Thai authorities would let a spouse stay on humanitarian basis. Quite frankly, the UK immigration laws are inhuman in as much as they make it practically impossible for UK nationals to stay married to a foreigner and live in the UK, unless they are financially well off. Isn't a poor man or woman allowed to marry a non British partner and live at home. I know the Thai laws also don't allow this unless the partner has a certain income, but even at the low rate of exchange of the Pound there is still a huge difference between the financial requirements in the UK and Thailand. Reading the stories about people being deported from the UK (read the SUN or the Independent) , I can only say that this is an utter disgrace. The Thai regulations, which are being described as anti expatriates, are simply extra generous compared to the UK.

Impossible to know where to start with that drivel. 

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Pointed out wrongly,

Foreign wives of Thai men have no problems staying in Thailand or getting citizenship.

But not the other way round, which I think was the point ..

1 minute ago, sanemax said:

What makes you so sure of that ?

I'm certain they would be straight to IDC without a goodbye to suffer like vermin in a cage

8 minutes ago, abrahamzvi said:

I am sure that in such circumstances the Thai authorities would let a spouse stay on humanitarian basis. Quite frankly, the UK immigration laws are inhuman in as much as they make it practically impossible for UK nationals to stay married to a foreigner and live in the UK, unless they are financially well off. Isn't a poor man or woman allowed to marry a non British partner and live at home. I know the Thai laws also don't allow this unless the partner has a certain income, but even at the low rate of exchange of the Pound there is still a huge difference between the financial requirements in the UK and Thailand. Reading the stories about people being deported from the UK (read the SUN or the Independent) , I can only say that this is an utter disgrace. The Thai regulations, which are being described as anti expatriates, are simply extra generous compared to the UK.

The marriage laws were implemented to stop unemployed people from getting mail order brides 

41 minutes ago, elwood said:

The FO shows its stupidity by claiming that he could receive treatment in Thailand, without mentioning he would have to pay for it privately.

Nor mentioning that he would need to obtain 90-day medical extensions for the duration of his treatment in Thailand.

 

And, of course, there would be the little matter of him not, in all probability, being in a sufficiently robust state of health as to be able to withstand the rigours of a 12-hour flight from Blighty to LOS in any event

 

31 minutes ago, Cloudy said:

Lets not base immigration standards on the Thai model which promotes racism and bigotry and no compassion or common sense. 

IMHO it's hard to argue, based on this particular case, that the UK model is really any different.

17 minutes ago, abrahamzvi said:

I am sure that in such circumstances the Thai authorities would let a spouse stay on humanitarian basis. Quite frankly, the UK immigration laws are inhuman in as much as they make it practically impossible for UK nationals to stay married to a foreigner and live in the UK, unless they are financially well off. Isn't a poor man or woman allowed to marry a non British partner and live at home. I know the Thai laws also don't allow this unless the partner has a certain income, but even at the low rate of exchange of the Pound there is still a huge difference between the financial requirements in the UK and Thailand. Reading the stories about people being deported from the UK (read the SUN or the Independent) , I can only say that this is an utter disgrace. The Thai regulations, which are being described as anti expatriates, are simply extra generous compared to the UK.

"but even at the low rate of exchange of the Pound there is still a huge difference between the financial requirements in the UK and Thailand."

 

True, but not in the way you mean.

 

I (as a single person) have to prove an annual income of multiples of the average Thai annual salary to remain in Thailand whereas in the UK (I think I'm correct in saying?) a figure less than the annual average salary has to be met?