News / People
‘Outstanding’ Bristol teenager faces imminent deportation
An outstanding student, described as a rising star, has been told he could face imminent deportation a week before he’s due to take his A-levels.
Stiven Bregu, 18, was trafficked to the UK from his native Albania against his will in 2015 at the age of just 13 to escape a violent and abusive family situation. He was left on the edge of Keynsham in the middle of the night, alone, with no possessions and barely able to speak English.
The teenager started at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School in Bristol a month later, where he went on to excel and was expected to have a bright future ahead of him before the Home Office denied his application to remain, stating “it is not in the public interest”.
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Thousands of people – including teachers and Bristol mayor Marvin Rees – have rallied in support of Stiven and are calling on the Government to reverse its decision to deport him.
A petition launched by his head of year at St Mary Redcliffe sixth Form, Rob Shaw, has been signed by more than 5,700 people in the first two days. Stiven’s lawyer has appealed the Home Office decision and he is expecting to face a hearing in July to determine his future.
Unless his appeal is successful, he faces deportation back to Albania, a country from which his mother sent him against his will five years ago and one that he has no connections to and no family contacts.
“All I want is the chance to fulfil my potential and contribute something to Bristol, which is my home,” said Stiven.
“I’ve always been grateful for the support I’ve had since I arrived in the UK. I’ve studied hard and tried to build a future for myself here.”
After achieving outstanding GCSE results, the 18-year-old was accepted onto the City Leadership Programme, established by Rees to invest in high-ability, high-aspiration students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Stiven went on to secure an apprenticeship offer from wealth management firm Rowan Dartingon.
Elisabeth Gilpin, head teacher of St Mary Redcliffe Sixth Form, said: “We are dismayed and astonished by the decision of the Home Office.
“Stiven is an outstanding student and a huge asset to our school community. I have no doubt that if he were allowed to stay in the country, he would go on to achieve great things and repay many times over the investment we’ve made in him as a young person.”
Adding his support, Rees said: “I met Stiven when he was on the City Leadership Programme and it was immediately clear to me that this was a special young man.
“Given all that he has been through, his achievements are exceptional, and the idea that forcing him to leave the country is somehow in the public interest is absurd.
“He is determined to give back to the city and the country that has welcomed him, and we would be mad not to give him the opportunity to do so.”
Sign the petition at www.change.org/p/home-office-stop-the-deportation-of-stiven-bregu
Read more: ‘How would you feel if your family were separated by force?’
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