Families in the UK are facing heartbreak as Ukrainian children are being separated from their parents due to recent visa changes. The changes, introduced by the government in February, have made it impossible for Ukrainians with temporary status in the UK to sponsor their own family members to join them in the country.
A report by the Work Rights Centre and the Immigration Law Practitioners Association revealed that over 200 Ukrainians have been affected by these visa changes, causing a significant negative impact on the Ukrainian community. For individuals like Andrii, a 33-year-old mother, the new rules have made it almost impossible to bring her six-year-old daughter to the UK, leaving the child without a father and in danger as the war in Ukraine continues.
Valentyna, a 24-year-old based in the UK, shared her heartbreaking story of trying to bring her father to safety in the UK, only for him to be killed in the war before she had the chance. These stories highlight the devastating consequences of the visa changes on Ukrainian families who are desperate to reunite with their loved ones and seek safety from the ongoing conflict.
Dr. Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the Work Rights Centre, has called on the government to review the Ukraine visa schemes and restore the commitment to support those in need. She emphasized the importance of allowing individuals with status under the Ukraine schemes to sponsor their family members, stating that it is cruel and absurd for a parent to be unable to sponsor their own child.
The case of parents who were unable to bring their two-year-old daughter from Kyiv despite arriving in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme further highlights the challenges faced by Ukrainian families. However, a recent U-turn by the Home Office allowed the parents to be reunited with their daughter, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil caused by the visa changes.
Zoe Bantleman, legal director of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association, criticized the abrupt and regressive changes to the Ukraine schemes, noting that they have prevented desperate families from reuniting during a time of war. The lack of generosity and humanitarian spirit in these changes goes against the values that the UK claims to uphold.
While the Home Office declined to comment, there is an expectation that the home secretary will review the Ukrainian visa schemes to address the concerns raised by charities, advocates, and affected families. The urgent need for action to alleviate the suffering of Ukrainian families separated by conflict cannot be ignored, and it is crucial for the government to reconsider the impact of these visa changes on vulnerable individuals seeking safety and reunification with their loved ones.