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A Jamaican man who has lived in Britain for the past 40 years has been sacked and faces deportation over claims that he is an illegal immigrant.
Information reaching THE STAR is that 57-year-old Balvin Marshall, who has been a popular road sweeper in Britain for the last 10 years, has become destitute. He was 'targeted' during a visit by authorities to Enterprise in Caledonian Road, Holloway, where he worked, as part of a crackdown on illegal immigrants.
According to reports in the Islington Tribune, Marshall can no longer obtain benefits and is squatting in a warehouse after losing his job.
It is understood that Marshall, who has paid national insurance and taxes for over four decades, has been branded an "illegal" entrant by the UK Border Agency.
To avoid deportation, he needs to produce documentation that proves his right to stay in Britain, such as an original passport. But Marshall says he lost this several years ago.
The father of five grown-up children said in an interview, "I can't believe I have to prove I have a right to live and work here. I came from Jamaica in 1972, aged 18. My original passport would have had all the proper right-to-entry-and-stay documentation. But I lost it many years ago. When I wrote to obtain details from the British High Commission in Jamaica, I discovered it had burnt down and a lot of documents had been destroyed."
He added, "My mother still lives in London and so do my kids ... . No one has spoken to them."
THE STAR understands that Marshall goes to his mother's in Tottenham for Sunday lunch but she is unable to put him up because there is no room in her house, as she is looking after her grandchildren.
"I'm now squatting in a warehouse belonging to a friend in Tottenham. If they try and deport me to Jamaica, I don't know what I'll do. I don't know anyone there," he said.
Meanwhile, since losing his job at the beginning of this year, the GMB union has taken up his case.
GMB union official Gary Doolan said he did not blame Enterprise for dismissing Marshall. "They were only following the letter of the law," he said. "But I do blame the laws of this country that can remove a man's status and right to work almost overnight."
Jeremy Corbyn, Islington North Labour member of parliament, described the dilemma as "outrageous". He noted, "He's been here long enough to earn his stay and should be given the opportunity to live the rest of his life here in peace."
A UK Border Agency spokesman said, "It is Mr Marshall's responsibility to demonstrate he has a right to live and work in the UK and we have already advised him to seek legal advice. We will carefully consider any application and supporting evidence supplied by Mr Marshall."
