Please help me to keep my family together in the UK

My name is Julie and I am a Canadian and I’ve lived here in the UK since 2002 when I arrived on a UK ancestry visa due to having a British grandparent. In 2006 I was given a further extension of that leave under the UK ancestry category. I was married to a wonderful man who was a British citizen who sadly passed away in 2009 after a long and painful illness.

I have been raising his three children as my own. Since then I have been lucky enough to meet someone else and we have been in a committed relationship for 6 years. He also has a child from a previous relationship. In 2009 I was wrongly advised that as I was married to a British national I did not need to make any further applications for leave. This resulted in my visa lapsing in 2011 causing me to be considered an overstayer.

I found this out in December 2013 when trying to get a passport. When I realized this I contacted Home Office, gave up my full time job as I was not allowed to continue working with no valid visa, got a lawyer and have been fighting ever since then to keep my family together.

All I’m asking for is the right to stay with my family and partner. I have never been reliant on public funds. If you agree that I should be allowed to stay and have my life here in the UK and would like to offer your support please sign my petition.

Many Thanks,

Julie Reah