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Overwhelming support for 18-year-old threatened with deportation
Born in Albania, Samet arrived in the UK in the back of a lorry UK aged just 15, after being sold into slavery.
Now 18, Samet attends South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS) where he studies carpentry.
However, weeks after his 18th birthday, was threatened with deportation when the Home Office rejected his appeal to stay in the UK.
is needed now More than ever
In response, his foster father John Stokes has set up a petition in the hope of reversing the decision – which now has more than 400,000 signatures.
Diagnosed with PTSD from a childhood of begging on the streets, abuse and trafficking, Samet has had the chance to access education and find a family with John and two foster brothers, Dave and Ali.
From left to right: Samet, Dave, John and Ali. Photo: John Stokes
“I can’t stand by and watch his dreams be shattered,” says John, from Yate, who has supported nearly 80 vulnerable children over the last 30 years.
“I expected Samet to be part of my family for the rest of my days. The moment that I had to tell him that his appeal to stay in the UK had failed was the worst feeling that I can remember. My words crushed his spirit and have broken him.
“As a foster carer I have never felt so helpless so all I can do is highlight his situation and hope that if enough people sign this petition then maybe our government will reconsider the life sentence that they have given this young man.”
John has been given hope by the successful appeal of his other foster son, Ali, who arrived in the UK with nothing, but is now both head chef and a director of a popular Italian restaurant in Hanham.
Ali left Calais’ former ‘jungle’ camp aged 16 and started a new life with John. He has gone on to complete college, work under chef Simon Hulstone at Michelin-starred restaurant The Elephant in Torquay and win his right to remain in the UK after also facing the threat of deportation aged 18.
“Ali’s story shows what young people can do with the right support,” says John, who is now supporting Ali to apply for his indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
“As a country, we have invested in them through education, but if they’re rejected, we get nothing back.”
Samet is quieter than his brothers, but is passionate about carpentry, and his teachers at SGS call the him an “inspiration”.
“All of the staff at college think Samet is a delight, an inspiration and has a thriving future,” says Caroline Piper, a member of staff at the college.
“I’m praying he can stay where he belongs in a loving home and he gets to show just what he can do as a budding carpenter.”
Despite thriving at college and improving his technical English to support his practical carpentry skills, Samet currently has no status in the UK.
This means that although he has a passion and skill for carpentry, he is unable to complete any work experience, get a job or plan for the future.
Samet (second from left) with brother Ali and Dave, and foster father John. Photo: John Stokes
John says that the family is strong and overwhelmed by support for his son but says it would be “nice” if they didn’t have to fight for their sons.
“I’m 67 in a few weeks. I’ve got plenty of energy left to keep fighting, but it is exhausting,” John told Bristol24/7.
Organisations including the UN and high-profile figures including MPs and celebrities, have joined the fight to let Samet remain in Bristol.
“I describe Samet as a soldier because every day is a battle to survive,” says John.
“Many other soldiers have run away rather than be deported and live their lives in the shadows of our society forever vulnerable to exploitation. I don’t want that outcome for Samet.”
Sign the petition at www.change.org/p/save-my-foster-son-samet-he-is-family
Main photo: John Stokes
Read more: Living with the threat of deportation hanging over you
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