We are Tahj-Li and Nashstacia
Tahj-Li and Nashstacia were one and nine when they moved to London with their mum and their older sister from Jamaica. Their mum was the only child still in Jamaica after her parents had moved to the UK as part of the Windrush generation.
It wasn't until they were teenagers that they were able to get a visa – which came at a very high cost. With extortionate, ever rising Home Office fees to pay every two and a half years to secure the family’s life in the UK, their mum was working 24/7 to provide enough money to save for the next round of visa fees and keep a roof over their head at the same time.
The family also had ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ as a condition on their leave to remain - which prevented them from accessing public support, including housing benefits, child credit and free school meals, even when they desperately needed it. There were times when they had to give up essentials, including food, just so they could save enough to renew their visas when they were due:
“There have been times where we had to say no we can’t buy this, we can’t have this, we were rationalising essential things that we need in the house; water, bread, sanitary towels – it just strips people of their dignity”
This fragile equilibrium collapsed with Covid-19, as the family lost its only source of income but was still prevented from accessing public support – all while the next round of leave to remain applications was fast approaching. With fees totalling £2,600 per person and no income, the family was at risk of losing their visas – and with it their home and Tahj-Li’s chances to continue her studies as a first year university student.
“It’s had health complications on [mum]. On her mental health, on her physicality, and so now I’m having to pick up that baton, which has been extremely hard on my shoulders, on my mental health.”
Luckily, they found their way to Praxis. We were able to prepare the complex applications needed to secure them access to public support and to waive Home Office fees. We then supported them to apply for the family’s visas.
As the family is waiting to hear from the Home Office on the outcome of their leave to remain application, we supported Tahj-Li and Nashstacia to speak up on BBC Panorama about the impact that Home Office policies have had on their lives, and on the lives of so many other young people who are trapped in the the UK immigration system.
Our expert caseworkers are working tirelessly to support people like Tahj-Li and Nashstacia so they can escape destitution, live safely in the UK and pursue their dreams.
Will you donate today so we can continue to offer support to the people who need it the most?