Maria and her family consist of 9 siblings, a mother and 3 younger
children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.   They
applied for asylum in 2002 and the claim was rejected - they
attended our offices after an 11 year old sibling was diagnosed as
HIV positive.  This big family lived in a 3 storey NASS property
which was in a very bad condition.  We made representations to
the Home Office based on the health of the 11 year old.  As
Barnardos had successfully asked the Home Office to give leave
to remain to many families with HIV positive children, we asked for
leave too for this family - this has now been granted - all of them
have indefinite leave now !!

Nadifa, a Somali woman, and her young daughter lost their
asylum claim as the Home Office and the courts refused to believe
she was a national of Somalia.  We instructed an expert to write a
report supporting their case.  She was also diagnosed HIV positive
and became pregnant with a second child - we made
representations to the Home Office on the basis that it would be
inhuman to remove a woman who is HIV positive and pregnant.  
The courts accepted our arguments and now they have now been
granted indefinite leave too!
Immigration Aid Manchester
Independent legal advice & representation from the
Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit