Gary Boyd is a British citizen, born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has been married to Kristee Boyd for 9 years and has been a devoted stepfather to Kyle for the same period of time. The Boyd family lived together in the UK for 2 years, from 2004 – 2006, and, in 2006, Kristee and Kyle were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) visas, which specifically state that they are valid “indefinitely.” After leaving the UK for 5 years to work in the field of international education, the Boyd family returned to the UK for Gary to take up a permanent Depute Head Teacher position at Kirkwall Grammar School in Orkney, Scotland. However, they were surprised to learn upon their return that Indefinite Leave to Remain visas are not, in fact, “indefinite” but expire after two years of living abroad. This is the case even though the Boyd family maintained strong ties to the UK and returned to holiday with family and friends on numerous occasions over the years spent living overseas. The UK Border Agency is currently advising the Boyds to follow their rules, which require Kristee and Kyle to travel to Australia to apply for the appropriate entry clearance to return to their home in Orkney. This could involve waiting in Australia for a period of up to 6 months. This would involve: (i) removing Kyle from his 4th year studies (final year of Standard Grade education) and (ii) removing both children (as Kristee is Nyah's primary caregiver)from their Dad, to live separately from him for up to 6 months. We, the undersigned, call on the UK Border Agency to exhibit a sense of decency and an appreciation of family values by reinstating Kristee and Kyle’s ILR visas and approving an ‘outwith the rules’ application, thereby allowing the family to continue to live together.

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