My daughter moved to the UK when she was just 12 years old. Now, at 18, she faces an uncertain future due to a shift in my employment situation. I have been transferred back to our home country by my employer, and this change has left her in a precarious position. She is currently studying for her A levels and has the option to remain as a dependent on her mother's skilled worker visa. However, existing policies make it difficult for her to switch.

This personal story is not unique; it reflects a broader issue affecting many children of immigrant workers across the UK. Current immigration laws do not adequately protect these young individuals who have spent significant parts of their lives here and consider this country their home.

According to The Migration Observatory at The University of Oxford, there were an estimated 674,000 people living in families with dependent children where all adults were foreign-born in 2019 (source: Migration Observatory analysis of Labour Force Survey). These figures indicate that many families could potentially face similar situations as ours.

We urge lawmakers and policymakers to address these gaps in immigration law that leave children like my daughter vulnerable. We need legislation that protects their rights and allows them flexibility during transitions such as ours without disrupting their education or life plans.

Please sign this petition urging for changes that will ensure no child is unfairly penalised due to circumstances beyond their control or forced out from what they consider home because of bureaucratic hurdles.