A 66-year-old grandmother from Kerala, who came to the United Kingdom to look after her grandchildren following the death of their mother, has garnered public support for her request for a permanent residency in the country.
A campaign has been launched by a British daily asking the Home Office to allow her to continue stay in the UK and legal experts offered free service to her in the case.
The touching 'Let Her Stay' campaign was started after Mary Joseph's daughter-in-law, Shini Jose, 39, died in a road accident in June last year. She was hit by a lorry while shopping with her children, Joel Jose, 8, and Jiya Jose, 4.
Over 1,000 people have signed the petition supported by the Portsmouth-based daily, The News. It said the supporters have come forward 'in droves to add their voice to demands to allow Mary Joseph to remain in the UK'.
Joseph faces being sent back to India after coming to the UK to look after her two grandchildren. Her case is scheduled to come up at an immigration tribunal shortly.
The campaign has now been joined by an immigration lawyer, a law graduate and a barrister. The lawyer, who has not been named by the newspaper, has given Joseph advice free of charge.
Barrister Ravinder Bagral from Warwick House Chambers in London has agreed to represent Joseph at the hearing for free. University of Portsmouth law graduate Miriam Havergal, 20, has volunteered to help the family prepare paperwork ahead of the hearing in Feltham, Middlesex.