Coronavirus: Nigerian care worker faces deportation from UK despite pandemic

Anugwom Izuchukwu Goodluck has been told by Britain’s Home Office that he must return to Nigeria by the end of the month

Anugwom Izuchukwu Goodluck had been caring for the vulnerable in the English city of Brighton at the height of the coronavirus pandemic when he was told by the UK government he would have to leave. UnShow more

A care worker on the front line of Britain’s coronavirus outbreak has been told he will have to return to Nigeria at the end of the month after his visa application was denied.

Anugwom Izuchukwu Goodluck had been caring for the vulnerable in the English city of Brighton at the height of the coronavirus pandemic when he was told by the UK government he would have to leave.

The 30-year-old has been living and studying in the UK since 2018 and his mother and brother both live in the country. His only remaining relative in Nigeria, his grandmother, died in 2009.

After finishing his masters in international relations at the University of Sussex, however, Mr Goodluck was told he would have to return to Nigeria.

The University’s Students’ Union has mounted a campaign to stop the deportation of its alumnus saying it “vehemently” opposes the government’s position.

An online petition aimed at blocking Mr Goodluck’s deportation has gained more than 12,000 signatures with a target of 15,000 by July 31, the day slated for the care worker’s departure.

“The Students’ Union is deeply appalled at this unfair treatment and the unjust deportation order, which has been issued to its alumnus. We stand in solidarity with Anugwom and ask the Home Office to reconsider its decision,” the union said.

“Anugwom is an exemplary individual who has put his own life at risk while working as a front-line care worker throughout the pandemic.”

According to local press, Mr Goodluck had been forced to move back in with his mother in Croydon, South London, after he lost his job with the care agency where he had trained.

His application in March for a family visa to stay with his mother and brother, both of whom are British citizens, was denied because he was over the age of 25 and did not rely on a parent for support.

Mr Goodluck said he had been left depressed by the UK government’s decision.

"I used to sing and dance for the residents, it was amazing to be with them, just pure happiness. Then it's all gone in the blink of an eye and I didn't even get to say goodbye," he told The Brighton Argus.

“They stopped me from working amid the rising cases as I couldn’t offer my services to the agency.

“I was designated illegal for work, it’s very depressing.”

Without the funds to support himself, Mr Goodluck is also worried that if he gets sick he won’t be able to pay for his medical treatment.

The Home Office has confirmed that people who had been granted leave to remain because of the coronavirus would have to depart by July 31.

“We are incredibly grateful for all the work that carers have done during coronavirus, which is why we have made them exempt from the immigration health surcharge,” it said.

“Those who are in the UK must follow the immigration rules and that includes not continuing to work in the UK after applications for visas have been refused.”