Pregnant Brazilian Woman Faces Deportation in the United Kingdom

A pregnant Brazilian woman is facing a deportation in the United Kingdom. She has to leave the country as soon as possible as her Visa has expired 2 months ago.

Deiseane Santiago is a 22-year-old Brazilian who visited her fiancé, Simon Ellis, 26 years old, in the UK last November 2015. The initial plan was she will fly back to Brazil with her fiancé before her 5-month VISA expires. However, she got pregnant, currently on her 26-weeks, so she had to stay longer.

They are afraid that she will acquire Zika as soon as she heads back home. Because of that, they have requested the government for an extension. The request by supported by Ellis’ GP, Dr. Tim Daniel. Dr. Daniel has written a letter to support their requested extension.

Unfortunately, the Home Office did not accept the request. According to them, only British nationals are covered by the Public Health England’s advice not to travel to countries with increasing Zika cases, especially to pregnant women.

Santiago received a warning last Monday from the Whitehall officials stating “You will not be removed for the first five working days after you receive this notice.”

“Following the end of this period, and for up to three months from the date of this notice, you may be removed without further notice.”

Brazil is currently alert level 2, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Zika is a mosquito-borne disease that has flu-like symptoms. It is more delicate to pregnant women as it can cause birth defects such as microcephaly and brain damage, or miscarriage and stillbirth. It can also be transferred through sexual intercourse.

‘We are worried that Daisy will still be made to return to Brazil, despite medical advice. We don’t want to put our unborn child at any risk.” Ellis has stated in an interview.