Statement from Joan, Osime Brown’s Mum
“You made history today”
Today I am overjoyed. The British Government has made the right decision. They’ve cancelled my son Osime’s deportation to Jamaica.
Osime has been in the UK since he was four. He is autistic and has learning disabilities, and would have had no family or support in Jamaica. This decision may well have saved his life.
It’s an incredible win and I could not have done it without all of you. People have said to me “Joan, you made history”. Well I want to tell you that WE have made history.
Without your support, I would have been lost. Osime would have been condemned to a very short and miserable life. I cannot thank you enough.
I want to say to the Home Office: I am grateful that you’ve made the right decision. You have showed you can respond in a just and dynamic way. Now is the time for you to reflect and remember that you are dealing with real people, real lives.
This is not the end for our campaign. There are still so many families like ours suffering. So many people facing deportation back to countries they do not even remember. So many children grieving their fathers who’ve been put on a plane in chains and sent thousands of miles away.
Sign the open letter against unjust deportations
Yesterday we forced the British Government to admit this is an injustice they cannot ignore. We need to keep the pressure up to make sure other families don’t have to go through this same ordeal as mine, or worse.
Once more, I want to thank those of you who have been with us through this long and painful ordeal. You believed in justice, fairness, dignity, and a country that is welcoming to everyone. No matter the colour of your skin.
You helped me to remain rooted in hope. Even when sometimes it felt like all things around me were falling apart. You have helped to keep Osime at home with his loving, caring family.
Thank you for your support.
Remember: together, we win.