Mark Nelson, a 46-year-old Jamaican man who has lived in the UK for 26 years, is facing deportation to Jamaica under new anti-immigration measures announced in last week's immigration bill. He was arrested on Thursday while reporting at a Home Office centre, despite having strong family ties and no further offences since his 2017 conviction for growing cannabis.
Background and Family Ties
Nelson came to the UK in 2000 and established a car mechanic business. He has five British children and a British partner, Rachel Derbyshire. In 2017, he received a four-year prison sentence for growing cannabis plants, which he said was due to financial difficulties in his business. He has not reoffended.
Previous Deportation Threat
In 2022, Nelson wrote an opinion piece for the Guardian about his deportation threat. His removal was later cancelled, and he was instead tagged and required to report weekly. However, on his last visit, he was arrested and detained at a centre near Heathrow Airport.
Impact on Mental Health and Family
Speaking from detention, Nelson said: 'I’m in a hot and filthy cell on the induction wing. My mental health is so bad because of what the Home Office has done to me. For the first time in my life, I have taken antidepressant medication.' He added: 'I love my kids so much, and I can’t bear to think of them being without their dad.'
His partner, Rachel Derbyshire, said: 'It seems that the Home Office is not going to let this go. Mark’s mental health is really bad because of this. He’s a really lovely guy, but the Home Office is treating him as if he was a rapist or a murderer.'
New Immigration Bill
The new immigration bill introduces a stricter test for the family and private life test under Article 8 in deportation cases. While exceptional circumstances are considered, the government appears intent on proceeding with Nelson's deportation despite his long residence and strong family connections.
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
