Richard Nomba was taken into detention, for the second time, from his home in Swansea on Monday 8th August. Currently he is at the Immigration Removal Centre at Heathrow and at risk of imminent deportation. Richard was detained in June and released after three days, but now the Government have come for him again. 

Richard comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country which continues to be unsafe in many parts and politically turbulent. Opponents and critics of the existing regime are particularly at risk.

Richard came to Swansea as an asylum seeker in June 2018 where he has involved himself fully in the community. He started to volunteer straight away, helping out in an Oxfam shop, and soon became involved in an organisation to help other Congolese immigrants in Swansea. When the lockdown began Richard started to package up food and toiletries parcels and deliver them to people who were isolated, vulnerable and in need. Richard’s voluntary work was recognised by the National Lottery Community Fund and featured on their website celebrating the work of volunteers. 

Richard will be put into harm’s way if he is deported to DRC. This is a cruel example of the hostile environment that keeps asylum seekers in a bureaucratic limbo with the threat that they may be taken and deported at any time.

Please sign this petition requesting the Home Secretary to review his case.