People's Comments on the Ban on War Vet's wife

Recent post on Andrew McLaughlin’s American wife and daughter been denied entry to the UK because of the government’s strict immigration rules on non-EU spouses (here) has welcomed several comments from the public calling the ban on war vet's wife as appalling. Read some of the comments from the public as reported by Tuesday Metro Newspaper below.

Karen Ashton, Lancashire  - "I am appalled that war veteran Andrew McLaughlin is unable to bring his American wife to the UK because his job as a lorry driver means he does not earn the minimum £18,600 required to allow a non-EU spouse to settle in Britain (Metro, Mon). Mr McLaughlin served in Afghanistan and is employed , yet he is forced to live apart from his wife and child. Who will fight for his rights? I'm sorry, Andrew, that your country has let you down."

Colin, Kent - "This man, who served his country, is in a poorly paid job and can't be with the woman and child he loves. Whatever country he ends up living in, I'm sure it will treat him better than his motherland."

Karen Howard, Essex - "This man fought for this country and we repay him with this absurd rule that he must be earning more than £18,600 before he can bring his wife to the UK. Yet people from the EU can claim child benefit in the UK and send it back to their home countries when their children are not even living in the UK. It is scandalous."

J, Sussex - "The £18,600 income threshold required to support a foreign spouse means only the well-off have a free choice of partner."

Anon, via text - "I work full-time while applying to join the Army. i have been separated from my American wife for more than two years because of these immigration rules. The policies might sound reasonable during political campaigns but they don't show the suffering these rules cause to families."

Anon, via text - "The non-EU immigration policy for spouses fails to recognise cheaper regional wages and cost of living. It's dreamt up by the metropolitan elite."

Eamon Condon, London - "My daughter was denied access to the US and was accused of going there to work. She had a visa but was marched by armed police to the plane and sent home via Paris. The UK is not the only country with unfair immigration policies."

S Dalipaj, Liverpool - "I was separated from my husband for 14 months and it cost us emotionally and financially. These rules do not recognise what Mr McLaughlin has given to his country."

D Turner, Suffolk - "This is another example of the boneheaded rules for rules' sake that pervades the Home Office whenever it comes to dealing with a British citizen wishing to be reunited with his family and live in his country of birth."

Darren, South Yorkshire - "The government is attempting to exile me over my American wife, despite me being a registered carer for elderly parents. My wife wishes to work and has never claimed a penny."

Gil, West Yorkshire - "I am going through the same ordeal. This policy is breaking people's hearts."