"My wife is totally shocked, under a blur of grief, sobbing at the idea of leaving this country that has been our home for the last few years. My daughter has to leave behind all her dreams of graduating from school and passing GCSEs with flying colours. We are completely devastated, tremendously scared, as if an atomic bomb has exploded around us; our small world has crumbled at our feet."
"Both my son and I are on medication for depression and anxiety. We need help to stay in the UK. There is no safe place for us in our home country. If we do not accept voluntary return we will be forced out. I need more time to think about what is the safest thing for us to do next."
The Home Office launched a pilot scheme targeting 150 families whose asylum claims were rejected, requiring them to decide within seven days whether to voluntarily return to their home countries or face forced removal. Families receive financial incentives of up to £40,000 per family member to encourage voluntary departure. Those refusing face potential forcible removal, including children. Affected families report severe distress, citing concerns about safety in home countries, disruption to children's education, and mental health vulnerabilities. Parents describe the compressed timeline as inadequate for making life-altering decisions affecting their children's futures, schools, and established communities in the UK.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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