Latest news with #DmitriPiliposyan
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Home Office reverses decision to deny father-to-be entry to UK after Guardian story
A couple who faced being apart for the birth of their first child due to Labour's planned immigration changes are celebrating after a Home Office U-turn a day after the Guardian reported the story. Elen Soghomonyan, 23, and her Armenian husband, Dmitri Piliposyan, 25, are expecting a baby this year. Soghomonyan visits her husband every couple of months in Armenia. The Home Office has refused Piliposyan permission to enter the UK because officials have determined he has not achieved sufficient proficiency in English. He meets other government entry requirements relating to income and the couple's relationship. But after the Guardian's story, the Home Office reviewed the case and said: 'It has been concluded the decision to refuse is no longer appropriate and the immigration decision is therefore withdrawn.' On Monday the government announced tougher English language requirements to qualify for entry to the UK across a range of visas. The couple had feared that due to the increased standard of English required, Piliposyan would not be given permission to enter the UK before the birth of their baby. Soghomonyan is a British citizen, born and raised in the UK, who graduated from Royal Holloway University of London in law with criminology and hopes to train as a barrister. Piliposyan has been diagnosed with diffuse sclerosis, a condition that causes fatigue, weakness in his legs and an inability to concentrate and memorise things and says his condition has hampered his ability to learn English to the required level for the Home Office. Officials rejected a request from the couple's lawyer for an exemption for the English proficiency requirement due to Piliposyan's medical condition and refused his entry to the UK. An appeal was lodged against the Home Office decision. After the U-turn, the Home Office said it anticipated that 33 months leave in the UK would be granted to Piliposyan and officials have asked the court to vacate the appeal hearing. 'The whole visa application process has caused me anxiety and depression, something I never previously experienced,' said Soghomonyan. 'When I heard that the Home Office have changed their decision I felt so happy and excited. My husband cried when he heard the news. He was so worried about missing the birth of our baby. It is literally a miracle. This has changed our lives.' Piliposyan said: 'When my wife called to tell me the wonderful news, I could not believe it. My entire life has transformed overnight. I'm still in shock and I'm overcome with excitement.' The couple's solicitor, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors said: 'The Home Office overturned their decision in this case swiftly, allowing our client to reunite with her husband and live together as a family during a crucial time in their lives – the birth of their child. This not only saved valuable court time and unnecessary taxpayer expense, but also prevented further emotional distress.' The Home Office has been approached for comment.
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Husband fears missing childbirth due to Labour's new English proficiency test
A couple fear they will be unable to be together for the birth of their first child due to Labour's plan to increase the standard of English proficiency required before people can enter the UK. The plans are contained in the new immigration white paper that introduces a new English language requirement across a broader range of immigration routes for both main applicants and dependants, including an assessment of improvements over time. Elen Soghomonyan, 23, and her husband Dmitri Piliposyan, 25, married in January 2022. Soghomonyan is a British citizen, born and raised in the UK, who graduated from Royal Holloway University of London in law with criminology and hopes to train as a barrister. She is of Armenian heritage, and the couple married in Armenia as Piliposyan does not have permission to come to the UK. Soghomonyan, who is 11 weeks pregnant, travels to Armenia every couple of months to see her husband. However, although Home Office officials say Piliposyan meets the entry criteria in terms of the couple's relationship and the income requirement he has not passed the English test. He and his wife say this is because he has been diagnosed with diffuse sclerosis, a condition that causes fatigue, weakness in his legs and an inability to concentrate and memorise things. The department rejected a request from his lawyer for an exemption from the English test requirement due to his medical condition, saying that the case does not meet the 'exceptional circumstances' measure for an exemption. The couple are appealing against the refusal. When they heard the announcement on Monday about the government's plan to introduce a higher bar for English proficiency they were both devastated. Soghomonyan said: 'My husband has tried to pass the English exam a few times but his medical condition got in the way. The announcement that they are making the English requirement harder made me feel very angry and disappointed. It is just unfair and is no way for us to build a civilised marriage. It is very difficult for us to be apart from each other.' She said that she and her husband speak every day on the phone and sometimes have WhatsApp video call connecting them while they're sleeping as a substitute for being physically together. 'The whole visa application process with the Home Office has caused me anxiety and depression, something I never previously experienced,' said Soghomonyan. 'I never had any mental health issues before but this whole situation with the Home Office has turned my world around completely one million per cent. I don't even know if my husband will be with me when I give birth.' Piliposyan said: 'Just when I think I am getting closer to live with my wife, the Home Office add another hurdle. I have always dreamt of creating my own family life, but the Home Office has built the wall in front of us. I am truly devastated. The most valuable person in my life is my wife and I find it difficult to be without her. She paints my life with beautiful colours.' The couple's solicitor, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, said: 'A British citizen, born and raised in the UK, is being forced to live apart from her husband. He has been diagnosed with a disability, but despite clear medical evidence, the application for an exemption from the English test requirement was denied. 'Under the government's new white paper, English language requirements will be expanded, making it even harder for families to reunite or settle – especially those affected by disability. What kind of system denies a British citizen the right to choose their life partner? What kind of fairness is this?' The Home Office has been approached for comment.
