Ben and Brian got married in 2014. | Photo: GoFundMe.com
An American man currently living in the UK might face deportation despite being married to a Briton.
Brian and Ben Page have been married for four years. However, Brian, originally from North Carolina, will have to leave the country as he has been denied a visa extension.
According to Ben, ‘the judge refused to recognize our marriage’ but instead ‘calls it a “partnership” every time’. He also said their marriage is valid ‘both in the US and UK’.
The couple has two days left to appeal
His husband Brian must either leave the UK within 14 days or apply for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal, the next stage of the process. At the moment of writing (20 September), the couple has only two days left.
The judge also suggested the British-American pair relocated to Canada.
‘Neither of us has any ties and have never visited,’ Brian told Gay Star News.
‘[The judge] said while we resolve our immigration issue this would be the best thing to do. This was in court and in her determination letter. I wonder how Canada would feel about receiving two people that can’t work because the UK doesn’t want to recognize our legal marriage.’
Ben also pointed out that they have sustained heavy legal expenses for the process (£17,000) and they couldn’t afford to move elsewhere. Moreover, they are expected to spend another £1,500 to appeal.
Brian and Ben met in 2012 in London
The couple met on a train in London in 2012.
Brian and Ben then went on to live in the US but decided to relocate to the UK as Ben’s mother was terminally ill. They both returned to England, with Brian on a six-month visa.
As Ben’s mother conditions worsened, his husband Brian applied for a visa extension, which was denied.
‘Throughout the process, they haven’t taken into consideration that my mother died and my father has lung cancer. It is considered as a vulnerable status,’ Ben told us.
‘They also acknowledged that article 8 has been introduced at the earlier stages. Once this has been introduced, they aren’t allowed to remove Brian from the country. It is considered “disproportionate” but they are still trying.’
The two are on anti-depressants
Brian and Ben are also suffering from mental health issues due to the stressful time they have been put through.
‘We are both on anti-depressants and struggling because of how terrible it has been,’ Ben revealed.
The couple is receiving the support of the LGBTI community, with activist Peter Tatchell backing their case.
They also set up a GoFundMe page to raise the money to appeal.
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