09/04/2025
Dear Members
I have been involved in advising British victims of immigration marriage fraud since being duped by a Tunisian husband in 2009. As a result I formed Immigration Marriage Fraud UK in 2013.
Little has changed since to protect a British spouse from this fraud.
I haven't been active lately due to ill health but I have come to realise that the Home Office has been negligent and dismissive of our cases when reported and credible evidence presented. I am sure many of you have come to that conclusion, after reporting your case to the Home office.
I have put together points which need addressing by the Home Office and I would urge everyone of you to write to your MP, including the points outlined below.
Ask you MP to raise the matter of this fraud on British citizens with the relevant Parliamentary Select Affairs Committee, in the hope they will revise or amend the current immigration law to protect British citizens instead of siding with the immigrant spouse and erring on the side of caution.
1. The Home Office responses when immigration marriage fraud is reported have been dismissive, and it’s clear they are not taking victims' report seriously. They make it seem like they are reviewing cases, but in reality, they are not.
2. It seems pointless and ineffective taking any case to the Ombudsman because, from what I understand—the Home Office has consistently failed to take action. Even in 2025, they continue to dismiss serious concerns, which is why I believe, a complete overhaul of the immigration policy surrounding immigration fraud is necessary. There needs to be a precedent in the law to ensure that all victims—whether of marriage fraud or other forms of deception—are taken seriously when they report allegations.
3. The Home Office must be held accountable for investigating these claims properly and acting appropriately when needed. I came across a public Ombudsman report about a family who repeatedly reported concerns about their daughter’s partner, who had used deception to obtain a UK visa. Despite multiple reports, the Home Office failed to act, even though this person had a criminal background. Eventually, due to the Home Office’s inaction, this individual went on to commit another crime in the UK, further harming the family. The Ombudsman upheld the complaint, ordered compensation, and issued recommendations. However, this case occurred around 2010 and was brought to the Ombudsman in 2014, yet here we are in 2025, and the Home Office is still failing.
4. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s Annual Report for 2016-17, which highlighted that 13% of complaints about the Home Office were related to concerns about marriage fraud. Complainants felt that the Home Office had not taken sufficient action against partners alleged to have used deception to enter the UK. The investigations revealed delays and other aspects of maladministration in the Home Office’s actions. However, as of 2025, I strongly believe that this 13% has increased, and to date, no serious action has been taken to address these concerns. To plug this immigration loophole, action must be taken by introducing legislation.
4. I would like you to present this issue as a matter of public interest to the responsible Select Affairs Committee in Parliament, showing that repeated complaints to the Ombudsman have not led to meaningful change and that the Home Office’s failure to follow its own policies has become unlawful.
We can strengthen our argument and demonstrate that this is not an isolated case, but a systemic failure that affects many victims of immigration marriage fraud.
Please take action now.
Dee
