30-year-old Anugwom Izuchukwu Goodluck left Nigeria in 2018 to study a master's degree in International Relations at the University of Sussex. After graduating last summer, he began agency work in care homes around the Brighton and Hove area, having trained to become a carer during his course.
The Nigerian man had been working in care homes until his visa application was denied due to the height of the lockdown period. He was no longer able to work and was issued a deportation notice back to Nigeria.
Speaking of his work, Anugwom told Metro UK: ‘I used to sing and dance for the residents, it was amazing to be with them, just pure happiness. Then it’s all gone in the blink of an eye and I didn’t even get to get to say goodbye.
‘They stopped me from working amid the rising cases as I couldn’t offer my services to the agency.
‘I was designated illegal for work, it’s very depressing.’
Izuchukwu whose mother and brother both live in the UK, reportedly applied for a family visa but was told in March that he would not be able to stay.
He said that in ‘an ideal world’ he would like to become a UK citizen as he would like an extension to get back on to the frontline of the care sector. However, he is now facing deportation back to Nigeria.
When asked about the case, the Home Office said that Anugwom must leave the country by the end of July.
A spokesperson said: ‘We are incredibly grateful for all the work that carers have done during coronavirus, which is why we have made them exempt from the immigration health surcharge.
‘Those who are in the UK must follow the immigration rules – and that includes not continuing to work in the UK after applications for visas have been refused.
‘We have granted individuals who cannot return home due to coronavirus leave to remain until July 31.’
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