A DOWNHAM family-of-six says it has been ripped apart by new immigration laws preventing the father from meeting his newborn daughter.
Despite having lived in the UK for 12 years, Albanian-born Edmond Danushi is currently stuck in his home country while his devastated family beg authorities to allow him home.
His 28-year-old wife Theresa is "struggling to cope" but is battling the Home Office with help from Lewisham East MP Heidi Alexander.
After continuously renewing his visa for 12 years, Mr Danushi applied for ‘indefinite leave to remain’ so he could remain in the UK on a permanent basis.
He claims the Home office advised him to return to Albania to get his papers in order, but that new legislation now means he cannot return.
Mrs Danushi, of Shroffold Road, told News Shopper: "We have been together for 12 years and married for 10.
"We speak on Skype every day but his son won’t talk to him because he gets too upset.
"My 10-year-old daughter Eli keeps saying ‘I want my dad."
"He never claimed from the state, he always did a range of jobs."
Mrs Danushi has been prescribed anti-depressants and says the skin condition psoriasis has erupted all over her body.
She said: "There is so much I have had to cope with on my own.
"We have four kids and the youngest has never met her dad.
"The older ones have been referred for counselling because they’ve found it so hard to cope.
"Some people come to this country and abuse the system but he was never like that.
"We’ve sent letters off from the kids to their dad to support their case."
Speaking to News Shopper via Skype, Mr Danushi, 30, said: "It is a disgrace they have taken me from my wife and family.
"I am most hurt for my children who are forced to grow up without a father.
"No one can understand the pain I feel.
"The worst part is not having been there when my daughter was born, and not being able to hold her."
MP Heidi Alexander is making representations to the Home Office on Mrs Danushi's behalf.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We welcome those who wish to make a life in the UK with their family, work hard and make a contribution.
"But family life must not be established here at the taxpayer’s expense.
"Mr Danushi’s application was refused because it did not meet the requirements of the immigration rules."
TIMELINE
2001
Mr and Mrs Danushi meet in Worthing. He works as a labourer and her as a hairdresser.
2002
Daughter Eli is born.
2003
The couple get married
2005
Son Keiren is born
2011
Daughter Aaliyah is born
2012
Mr Danushi runs out of work around Easter but carries on applying for jobs
Official immigration rules change meaning that for someone to come into the UK to live, their partner needs have savings of at least £18,600
Mr Danushi passes the Life in the UK Test in the same month but does not have the £900 needed to have ‘indefinite leave to remain’
Unaware of recent immigration law changes, he returns to Albania
He is unable to return because Mrs Danushi does not have the required funds
Mrs Danushi stops working to have baby Aalissa
2013
MP Heidi Alexander and a senior immigration caseworker lend support to campaign for his return
The tribunal is expected to be heard in February next year
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