Help Alfredo Stay in the UK and Reunite With His Children
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❌ I Just Want to Work Again — And Be a Father to My Kids
My name is Alfredo, and I’ve lived in the UK for over 8 years.
I came here on a legal working visa, and later held a dependant visa through marriage to a British citizen.
I’ve always worked, paid my taxes, stayed out of trouble, and never claimed benefits.
Now, I’ve lost the right to work — and I’m at real risk of being sent back to Cuba, where I would be permanently separated from my children.
I’m not asking for charity. I just need a chance to fix this — to get legal support, regain my right to work, and most importantly, reconnect with my children.
❤️ I’m a Father of Two — But I Haven’t Seen My Kids in Over Two Years
I have two British children, born and raised here.
My daughter is 5. My son is 4. They mean the world to me, and I love them with all my heart.
I’m still legally married to their British mother. Since our relationship ended, she has blocked all contact between me and the children. I haven’t seen them in more than two years. I don’t even know where they are currently living.
I've tried to find out where they live, I've tried to see them, I've sent messages, I’ve paid child support every single week, even when I could barely afford to.
Working minimum wage through an agency the last 2 years, I simply couldn’t afford legal help or court proceedings to fight for contact.
Despite this, I've never stopped trying — because I love them, and I won’t give up on them.
⌛ I Finally Found Stability
In May, I was offered a full-time, permanent role with a company that respects me and believes in me.
It was my chance to grow, save, and finally begin the legal process to see my children again.
Then — suddenly — the Home Office took away my right to work.
Thankfully, my employer has said to me:
“As soon as you’re allowed to work, we’ll take you back.”
But that was over 6 weeks ago — and I haven’t earned a penny since.
I’ve used every bit of money I had just to pay rent, stay fed, and survive.
I spent the last of my savings reaching out to a solicitor, hoping they could help.
Now I’ve found out the only way forward is to pay legal fees I can’t afford — and I have nothing left. I’m about to become homeless, or worse, be sent back to Cuba — where I’ll never see my children again.
✉️ My Asylum Application Was Denied — And I Missed the Appeal
After my visa was cancelled by my spouse, I applied for asylum as a last resort — just to stay here legally while trying to fix my situation.
The application was denied.
I missed the appeal deadline — not on purpose, but because I didn’t realise the refusal notice was attached to an email about digital reporting (which I followed correctly).
I had no legal help, and no idea I’d missed something so important.
By the time I realised, it was too late.
I’m still allowed to stay in the UK until 2026, but without the right to work, I’m completely stuck.
⛔ I Can’t Go Back to Cuba — I’d Lose My Children Forever
Going back to Cuba isn’t a new start. It’s a trap.
• I would never get back to the UK
• I’d lose any chance of seeing my children again
• I wouldn’t be able to send child support
• I’d face severe hardship, poverty, and no future
The country is in crisis.
No work. No access to basic services, and no hope of a return.
I don’t want to disappear from my children’s lives. I want to fight for them.
⚖️ I’ve Had No Legal Help — And English Isn’t My First Language
I’ve done everything alone — every form, every check-in, every update.
But this system is complex, especially as English is not my first language and I have no support.
Now, I’ve finally spoken with a solicitor who says I may still be able to:
• Re-appeal the asylum refusal, or
• Apply for a parent visa through the family court process
I’ve been advised to try both — but I can’t afford to begin either route.
I’ve also been told that starting either process could restore my right to work and allow me to stay legally while the cases are ongoing.
✅ This Country Is My Home
Over these 8 years, I’ve built a life here.
I have close friends who are like family, a community I care about, and a love for this country that has given me so much.
The UK is my home — and it’s where my children are growing up.
I don’t want to be forced out of the only life I’ve known for nearly a decade.
⚠️ What the Funds Will Cover — and Why This Matters.
I’m trying to raise £4,000 to cover the first legal steps — just to be allowed to work again and stand a chance of staying with my children.
This amount won’t solve everything — but it will help me:
• Start the legal process of fixing my immigration status
• Regain my right to work
• Begin family court or mediation to request contact with my children
• Secure payment plans for the remaining legal fees
• Avoid homelessness while waiting for outcomes
➡️ Legal Steps & Known Fees (shared by the solicitor)
• Submit asylum appeal (solicitor) £500 + VAT (needed ASAP)
• Tribunal appeal fee £140
• Full asylum appeal process (if accepted) £4,000 + VAT (50% deposit + payment plan)
• Parent visa application (solicitor) £2,000 + VAT (50% deposit + payment plan)
• Home Office application fee £1,321
• Immigration Health Surcharge £2,587.50
• Initial process of Family court/mediation (to see children) £1,000 + VAT
• More legal costs still expected — solicitor has confirmed more fees will follow
£4,000 is just scratching the surface — but it’s enough to help me get back on my feet.
It will allow me to work again, access legal support, and set up payment plans for the remaining costs.
Every extra pound raised will go directly toward continuing this process and rebuilding my future — and my relationship with my children.
❤️ If You’re a Parent — You Understand
• Imagine not seeing your children for years.
• Imagine not knowing where they live.
• Then imagine being sent away, with no way back — and no way to be in your children’s lives again.
That’s my reality.
✋ How You Can Help
• Donate, if you can — no matter how small
• Share this page with friends, groups, or communities
• Tag organisations or charities that support fathers, migrants, or access to justice
• If you know any legal professionals or immigration solicitors who might help with this situation — please reach out or pass this on
• If anyone is able to take on or assist with my case, it would mean the world
Every act of support — big or small — brings me one step closer to seeing my children again and rebuilding my life.
✊️ I’ll post updates here with every step forward we take.
Thank you for reading my story.
Thank you for helping me fight for a second chance.
— Alfredo
Organizer
Alfredo Fuente Avila
Organizer
England