Sally Army bangs drum on asylum

CONCERN . . . Salvation Army Captain Stephen Oliver has vowed to help one of his congregation who is facing deportation

A church has called for changes to the asylum system after a member of its congregation was faced with deportation.

Tembi Dube has become “part of the family” according to Failsworth Salvation Army leader Stephen Oliver.

The 27-year-old, from Zimbabwe, said she lost her mother to HIV aged 10 and fled the country after years of abuse from her father.

Tembi was brought to the UK by family friends in England in 2005 on a false passport. She has lived in supported accomodation while her asylum claim was processed.

However, she was refused asylum last month which saw her lose her home, benefits and right to work.

Tembi, who has attended the church in Oldham Road since 2009 and had dreams of being a christian youth worker, said she would fear for her life if she was sent back to Zimbabwe.

She said: “The minute you leave and seek asylum, that means you’ve been saying bad things about them. They know you are a traitor.

“There is no freedom, no human rights. The length of time I’ve been in the UK means I fear for my life.”

Captain Oliver said: “It is not for us to say whether Tembi’s claim for asylum is legitimate or not.

“The issue for people like her is when they are refused asylum, it is rare they are supported.

“She is not allowed to work, although she wants to stay and make a contribution to society, and has no access to public funds or benefits.

“What happens is people in her situation are left destitute.

“As a church leader and a Christian, our concerns are for the person.

“We want to raise our voice and say this system needs to change and to be fair.”

The UK Border Agency said both they and the courts found that Tembi was not in need of protection and could return home.

They added that a person with no right to stay in the UK should leave voluntarily or they would seek to enforce their removal.

Captain Oliver said they have now contacted The Boaz Trust, a Manchester-based Christian organisation which helps destitute asylum seekers.

He added: “Tembi has been at the church for the past two years.

“She volunteers to do all sorts of things and is part of the family.

“We want to do what we can to support her practically and raise our voice for people in her situation to be treated fairly.”