David’s heartbreak as his US wife is banned from UK

A heartbroken dad has blasted Britain’s “shambolic” immigration system after his American wife was banned from the UK.

Glenrothes dad David Senior who has been the sole carer for his disabled son Mark, 21, since his mum died four years ago fell in love with US citizen Jean in 2011 with the pair marrying last year.

But their plans to start afresh in Scotland have been destroyed by tough immigration rules.

The controversial law, currently the subject of a legal challenge, means a spouse’s income must be at least £18,600 to allow their husband or wife to move to the UK.

But David believed his role as a full-time carer for severely autistic son Mark excluded him from the rules.

Distraught David, 42, said: “This refusal has made me feel like a piece of dirt just because I’m a carer for my son.

“They’re discriminating against decent people, especially when there are thousands of illegal immigrants flooding into the country.

“It is absolutely shambolic.”

David, who worked as a food process operator for 20 years, was forced to give up work when his divorced wife died in 2009.

He was given the heartbreaking choice of caring for Mark himself or putting him into care.

He decided to look after his son, but held out little chance he’d ever find love again.

That changed when he met Alabama mum-of-one Jean, 40, on Facebook, and she came to visit in 2011, returning home when her tourist visa ran out.

But the love-struck pair couldn’t bear to be apart and married in an intimate ceremony in front of close friends and family at Glenrothes Registry Office last year.

However, heartless officials have refused Jean a spouse visa and the newlyweds have been apart since August, 2012.

The Seniors have appealed to the UK Immigration office but their case is understood to be one of thousands put on hold following a landmark decision by the UK’s leading immigration judge.

Lord Justice Blake ruled the £18,600 earning threshold for Britons wanting to bring their non-EU spouses into the country was “unlawful” and “unjustified”.

Home Secretary Theresa May is appealing the ruling.

However, it is now easier for a couple from EU countries such as Poland and Romania to live together in the UK because of the “stupid rules”, said Mr Senior.

Illegal immigrants are also allowed to stay after living in the UK for 20 years.

But British citizens with non-EU spouses must earn over the threshold or have more than £60,000 in savings.

Mr Senior said: “We’ve had to jump through hoops and still we’re no nearer a decision.

“They’ve questioned Jean’s ability to speak English, even though she’s American, and questioned her ability to work even though she has a work history, and is university educated.

“We’ve told the authorities she intends to work the moment she arrives so can’t understand why they won’t grant a visa.

“They need to show some compassion.”

A Home Office spokesmann said applications are decided on their individual merits and in line with immigration rules.

He said: “The onus is on the individual to ensure they meet the immigration rules and provide the necessary evidence to support their application.”