Britons who are sheltering Ukrainian refugees say they are ashamed of the government’s refusal to remove a loophole that is preventing hundreds of children from entering the country.
More than 500 Ukrainian youngsters are thought to be stranded across Europe after the Home Office made a last-minute rule modification requiring those under the age of 18 to be accompanied by a biological parent.
The goal was to stop human trafficking, but many of the children had already left the warzone and been handed to older siblings or other relatives.
The Home Office stated a fortnight ago that it will resolve the issue, but has done nothing since then.
Kevin Hennelly and Sandra Tilley from Lincolnshire had wanted to welcome Oleksandr Polishchuk, 24, and his 15-year-old sister Natallia, but despite her parents’ formal approval, the younger sibling is unable to travel to the UK.
The boy’s passport has now run out and he has travelled alone to a warzone in the east of Ukraine to try to meet his mother and get it renewed,’ said Mr Hennelly.
‘His father’s battalion has been surrounded by Russians in the east and they have not heard from him.’
‘It appears to be safer to leave children in a war-torn nation filled with rapes, killings, and human trafficking than to come to live with a UK family who has undergone several DBS checks,’ he added, condemning the Home Office policy.
Children with authorization from their legal parents or guardians should also be permitted to enter the UK, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Sasha Ivanenko, 15, and his aunt Nataliia, 40, are being sponsored by Laura Goedhuis, who said she was informed by her local MP last month that the guardianship concerns would be settled in ‘a few days.’
‘We all feel very let down by the Home Office and Lord Harrington, the Minister for Refugees,’ she said. I feel like I’ve been duped time and time again.’
‘Unaccompanied minors are only eligible under the Homes for Ukraine scheme if they are reunited with a parent or legal caregiver,’ according to a government official.
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