Delayed Asylum Decision

[benak]

Hello we need some advice please

My friend called Jamal applied for asylum in December 1999 got his SAL, and a work permit six months later.
He was invited for his initial asylum interview around Feb 2001 but has never got a decision since.
His address with the HO is upto date but it is nearly 9 years but has never got the determination to his claim. However he has got 2 letters so far from the HO requesting him to make a voluntary return but he is not willing to do so because has hasn't got the outcome of his claim.
His solicitor has written to the HO but the only feed back she got was to acknowledge receipt of her letter.
Please advise.

[INSIDER]

The fact that your friend received a letter from the HO requesting he make a voluntary departure is sugestive of the fact that a negative decision has already been made on his asylum claim. HO will not ask some one to make a vol dep if there is still a claim outstanding. For what ever reason he doesn't appear to have received that decision.

In the circumstances I can only suggest that he put more pressure on the HO for a copy of the decision if he still wants it.

[benak]

thanks Insider, but isn't it unfair that a negative decision was made but not issued, therefore getting no chance to appeal?

[jimquk]

I don't agree that encouragement to return home is suggestive of refusal; this has become routine for people at all stages of the asylum process.

Your friend's case should eventually be resolved as a legacy case. There are no guarantees of the outcome, but factors such as family ties formed in the UK, no criminal record, and a record of employment may help. Best thing is just to sit tight and hope for the best. Which country is he from? If he is from a country to which removal is difficult, this may also help.

[benak]

thank you both, he is from Uganda.
Jimquk, thanks for mentoning employment. He's in a fix. He was given a SAL (the old document that is no longer in use) with the right to work while his case was being determined.
When HO announced that employers should no longer accept SALs, his solicitor requested the HO for an update on his case and also a letter to show that he is allowed to work. His solicitor has been chasing them but all they send is a letter to say they will deal with his case.
Now that's the fix. If the decision was negative and he wasn't notified, then he will get done for working illegally. On the other, if this is a legacy case as you said, employment would probably help his case.
Most importantly, if he ever runs into police/imm officers and they check that he was refused, where would he start?
Any more suggestions

[benak]

Hello,

Anyone there pse????