The deportation-threatened wife of a Dundee Asperger’s syndrome sufferer will learn her fate next month.
US citizen Karen Officer married Dundonian Bruce Officer, 46, at Arbroath Abbey in September following an online relationship.
She began to visit her future husband, who now lives in England, in 2010 after the pair met for the first time and instantly bonded.
The 52-year-old decided to remain in the UK during a visit in 2012 after becoming disturbed by her partner’s deterioration in health and was granted an initial six month visa by the Home Office.
Ever since however, Karen has been at the centre of a long-running battle with the government department over claims she failed to provide all relevant documents for her application and had stayed beyond the agreed six months – a claim Mrs Officer has consistently denied.
After rejecting her plea for permanent residence to take care of her partner, the Home Office, according to Mrs Officer, threatened to make it impossible for her to remain in the UK.
The 52-year-old, who helps look after husband, Bruce, has subsequently had more than one previous appeal to remain in the UK rejected.
She was however “validated” after a judge branded aspects of the Home Office’s conduct “wholly inadequate” and insisted the government department did not fairly weigh up the couple’s needs with its own.
Despite criticising the Home Office, the judge referred the case back to the government.
Now, the terrified wife has revealed her immigration appeal will take place on September 2.
Speaking previously Karen said she believes her appeal will, eventually, be successful.
She said: I learned that I do have rights and now I am going to continue to fight for my husband’s rights, the rights of a UK citizen.
A Home Office spokesperson said they do not comment on individual cases.
