AN American couple who have made their home in the Highlands have won their battle to remain in Scotland after being threatened with deportation by the Home Office.
Russell and Ellen Felber first came to the UK from New York in 2011 and invested hundreds of thousands of pounds turning a run-down hostel in Inverness into an award-winning bed and breakfast.
However, despite having complied fully with all their previous visa conditions, they were told just before Christmas 2016 – as The National revealed at the time – that they would have to leave within 30 days.
READ MORE: Friend condemns horrific treatment of Inverness visa case couple
They then went through a lengthy appeal process that culminated on Saturday when Russell told The National simply: “We won.”
He will discuss the case with their lawyer later today to find out what will be required of them in future.
Their MP Drew Hendry welcomed the news that the couple had been given leave to remain, but said it was another illustration of the need for immigration policy to be devolved to Scotland.
He said: “I am so happy for Russell and Ellen. Finally, they will be able to get on with their lives here in Inverness – their home.
“They have been put through utter hell by the Home Office and this judgement by the courts is a vindication of everything we have said all along – they did nothing to deserve this treatment.
“Russel and Ellen followed the Home Office rules, they did what they were supposed to – as has now been proven in court. Yet they have had to spend the last few years of their lives fighting to stay here, costing time and money they will never get back.
“No others should have to go through what they have endured. This Tory Government’s hostile environment immigration policy needs to end, and powers over immigration passed to the Scottish Parliament to allow us to create an immigration system that works for Scotland and treats people fairly.”
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