A Brit is stranded in Jamaica after she gave birth there and her baby has been refused entry to the UK.
Tiffany Ellis has lived in the UK since the age of eight, and on April 30, last year, she gave birth to her baby Xien Ellis.
The 28-year-old has been trying to return to the UK ever since but the Home Office has refused her baby permission to come over.
The government refused Xien’s visa application on December 22 when he was almost eight months old, and reportedly said he had an “established life” in Jamaica.
They are said to have added that the child would not suffer “unjustifiably harsh consequences” and the baby could continue its life in the Caribbean with financial support from his mother in the UK.
Tiffany’s husband, Zarren Ellis, 38, and the couple’s oldest daughter, Xianna Ellis, five, are at the family’s home in London, heartbroken at being separated from their family.
In January 2020, Tiffany, Zarren and their eldest child Xianna, travelled from London to Jamaica to get married.
However, whilst over there waiting for the paperwork on their wedding to come through, the Covid pandemic broke out, trapping them in Jamaica.
They were finally able to get married in August 2020 and a month later Tiffany became pregnant.
However, she was struck down with constant vomiting so bad she couldn’t leave the house.
Despite hopes she would return home for the new year, she ended up having to remain in Jamaica until she gave birth.
Last December, Zarren and Xianna were left with no choice but to leave Tiffany and Xien behind as their eldest child had to get back to London so she could attend school.
Speaking to the Guardian, Tiffany said: “There’s not a day goes by that I don’t cry about this. My husband is my rock and he’s holding everything together. The whole situation is so heartbreaking.
“How can I explain this to my daughter? She thinks I’ve abandoned her. I’ve never been apart from her before. Xien tries to hug his dad on the screen when we do video calls. I just want to get Xien home before his health worsens.”
Their horrific situation has been made worse because Xien has a kidney condition and specialist care for his condition isn’t available in Jamaica.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “Upon further evidence coming to light, we agreed to reconsider this application in May.
"We are awaiting additional information and once we receive it, we will consider the application carefully.”
It is believed that the Home Office recently tried to contact Tiffany as the documents sent in the initial application were unreadable.
