Albanian Criminal Dritan Mazreku Successfully Avoids Deportation from the UK After Judge Rules It Would Be Too Harsh on His Teenage Stepson

The Surprising Decision on Deportation

A recent legal ruling has made headlines, as a 29-year-old Albanian man, Dritan Mazreku, was granted the right to stay in the UK despite facing deportation. This surprising decision came after a judge determined that sending him back to Albania would be “too harsh” on his teenage stepson.

Mazreku had been in the UK since 2014 and had been serving a prison sentence for criminal activity.

However, his stepson, who had grown up with him as a father figure, was the key reason the judge chose to keep him in the country.

A Father Figure to a Teenager in Need

Mazreku entered a relationship with a Latvian woman, and over time, took on a “paternal role” for her son from a previous relationship.

His stepson, now a teenager, had no other father figure in his life and had previously experienced abandonment.

The judge noted that this child “remembers no other father” and that the emotional consequences of losing Mazreku could be severe.

The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, had argued that deporting Mazreku would not be unfair, claiming he could still support his stepson from Albania through online communication.

However, the judge disagreed, saying that virtual support couldn’t replace the physical presence of a father figure.

The Judge’s Reasoning and the Family’s Financial Situation

Judge Phillips, who upheld the decision to allow Mazreku to stay, pointed out that the family was relatively poor and it would be unrealistic for them to visit Albania regularly. The judge emphasized that the family relied on Mazreku’s income when he was working, and his wife had only ever earned minimum wage. In his ruling, the judge concluded that it would be “unduly harsh” on the family to be separated permanently, especially given the circumstances.

Mazreku had married his partner in 2017, which had given him the right to remain in the UK.

However, there was a period of separation between the couple later on.

Despite this, Mazreku had always maintained a close relationship with his stepson.

The Legal Battle and Appeal

Following the initial ruling, the Home Office appealed, arguing that the decision was legally flawed.

Lawyers representing the government claimed that the teenager still had the support of his mother and grandmother and that Mazreku could provide support from Albania.

They also stated that his criminal conviction should be taken into account and that the stepson was not supported while Mazreku was in prison.

On the other hand, Mazreku’s legal team defended the original decision, arguing that it was well-reasoned.

They pointed out that the key factor in the case was the child’s history of abandonment and the emotional toll that losing Mazreku would have on him.

The tribunal found that the judge’s decision was not “inadequate” and agreed that the impact on the stepson made deportation an unreasonable choice.

A Final Ruling

In the end, the Upper Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber sided with the original decision, emphasizing that the emotional well-being of the teenager was a priority.

The judge acknowledged that Mazreku had remained in contact with his stepson during his time in prison, reinforcing the bond between them.

The case highlights the complex nature of immigration decisions, especially when children are involved and emotional ties are at stake.