An MP has spoken out to support a pregnant British woman after she was questioned at Heathrow border
Pregnant mum Naomi Tamayama, 44, from Chesham, told of her “stressful” experience at the Heathrow border control when she was returning to the UK from Sweden with her neurodivergent son and elderly mum in the special assistance queue.
The dual Swedish and British national Naomi claimed the trio were met with “real hostility” despite having additional documentation to show they were British citizens but travelling on Swedish passports, leading to stamps allowing six months stay only being put on their passports.
The alleged ordeal has affected Naomi’s nine-year-old son and his anxiety, who now fears the Border Force will come and take them away coupled with reoccurring nightmares, Naomi said.
The stress has increased Naomi’s blood pressure, which was noted by both her consultant obstetrician and GP in separate letters, and made her feel “unwelcome” in her home country for the first time ever, she said.
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Now the Chesham and Amersham MP Sarah Green has stepped in to demand answers from the Home Office, who are responsible for the Border Force.
Sarah Green MP said: “My office and I are assisting Naomi after her recent distressing experience at Border Control. I can confirm that I have contacted the Home Office on her behalf and we are currently awaiting a response. I very much hope that we can get this resolved quickly, to remove this stress from her family.”
Naomi said she hasn’t had to prove her citizenship “until this year,” she said.
“I’m genuinely quite worried how this is affecting my son’s mental wellbeing. He’s really scared we are going to be removed from his only home. He doesn’t feel secure at all. He’s seen on TV people being taken away and I need to reassure him almost on daily basis.
"I feel really sad. I've got a right to be here. This one experience has made me question why I'm working so hard here. I've done everything right and I'm now stuck in this limbo and I have to pay for a lawyer I can't afford," she added.
Home Office spokesperson commented the allegations previously: "Border Force’s number one priority is to maintain a secure border, which includes verifying that those wishing to enter the UK have the right to do so.”
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