Couple's joy after deportation threat lifted

Hayley MaceA Lowestoft couple whose future was looking uncertain with the threat of deportation have been told that they will be able to stay together.Hayley Mace

A Lowestoft couple whose future was looking uncertain with the threat of deportation have been told that they will be able to stay together.

Taina Ali, 44, married her 'soulmate' Dana in 2003, three years after he fled to the UK from war-torn Iraq. The couple had been living happily in Lowestoft ever since, but their world was turned upside down on July 30 when Mr Ali was detained without warning by immigration officials at Lowestoft police station and taken to an immigration removal centre in Cambridge.

After having to spend nearly a month away from his wife and friends, he was released in August but has spent the past two months reporting regularly to Lowestoft police station and wearing an electronic tag while solicitors have fought against the threats to have him deported.

Now the couple have been told that their battle has been successful and that Mr Ali, 34, will be able to stay in the country.

Postwoman Mrs Ali, who lives with her husband in Bevan Street West in Lowestoft, said: 'We had a telephone call from our solicitor to say that Dana's case had been resolved and that he is allowed to stay in this country.

'We are both so happy that it is difficult to put our feelings into words.'

When Mr Ali was first taken away to the removal centre, his wife and friends set up a group on social networking website Facebook in support of his case and hundreds of people joined within days.

Mrs Ali said: 'It was sheer panic when Dana telephoned to say he would not be coming home, but all that is in the past now. We just want to look forward to the future.

'We want to thank everyone who has supported us in this difficult period including our family and friends.'