Prime Minister Theresa May has agreed to discuss the case of an American couple from Inverness who are facing deportation.
New Yorkers Russell and Ellen Felber came to Scotland and opened their guest house in 2011 on a three-year visa, and were granted a two-year extension. But when they applied for leave to remain in the UK in early 2016, the Home Office refused to grant the application.
Yesterday, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford raised the issue at PMQs and appealed for Mrs May to show some compassion.
He said: “They contribute to their community and the local economy, yet they will be deported because of a retrospective change to Home Office rules.
“Will the prime minister meet me and their MP, Drew Hendry, to discuss this case and the systemic problems with UK migration?”
Mrs May denied there was any systemic issue, and said Home Secretary Amber Rudd would be happy to meet Mr Hendry and Mr Blackford to discuss the case but said it was “absolutely right” the Home Office work to ensure immigration rules are properly applied.
She added: “What is absolutely key is ensuring we have controlled migration. That is what the people of this country want and what the government is delivering.”