An Angus teenager has made a personal plea to the Home Office, asking it not to deport her mother from the UK.
Ceilidh Smith said she cannot live without mother Angela Smith, who is staying illegally after her latest visa application was rejected.
The Angus Council worker, originally from the US, has lived in Arbroath since 2007 but has faced an ongoing battle to stay since separating from her husband.
Ms Smith is the primary carer for her 13-year-old daughter, who is a fully-fledged UK citizen, but may be forced to leave her and return to the US.
Arbroath High School pupil Ceilidh has now written a personal letter to the Home Office describing the decision as “idiotic” and urging officials to let her stay.
She said: “I am very frustrated and agitated that I have to explain to a bunch of adults that should know better. I hope that you think again before trying to tear apart a mother from her daughter. I hope, whoever you are, that you feel guilty for trying to separate us.
“I ask that you change your decision about deporting my mum. It will mean the world to not lose her as I love her and cannot live without her.”
The Home Office argues there is no reason why Ceilidh could not remain in the UK with Ms Smith’s ex-husband, who lives locally.
The Amercian was planning to buy a house and marry her partner Matthew Tribble before the Home Office letter turned the couple’s world upside down.
Matthew said they can’t now get married to keep her in the UK because the Home Office has taken her passport and visa.
The 40-year-old said: “I do not believe the registry office would accept our application.Our landlord recently gave us until the end of May to move out of our rented flat as they were putting it on the market.
“We found our dream cottage to buy and just needed official residence status for Angie to make a joint mortgage application.
“That is now of course not happening. I don’t know what the future holds but it does not involve Angie being deported.”