I would like to express my thanks to you for having the plight of Betty and her mother Elsa on the front page of the paper yesterday. This kind of action by the Home Office is disrupting communities and causing great distress, particularly to children, and by highlighting these events you are bringing the news to people who may have no idea this kind of action is being committed in their name.
Mary Armitage, by email

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I know Elsa personally through my work with asylum seekers. She is a genuinely delightful lady with a beautiful smile! It is heart-breaking to think that the Government of this country is going to deliver her and her daughter back to imprisonment and possible death. I am so grateful for the campaign to try to stop this act.
Carolyn Stone, by email

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Yes – they should stay. They belong to Leeds now and we have a duty, as fellow humans, to keep them safe. No more than we would ask of them if it was us, in their country, fleeing our home.
Sara Robinson

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I am writing in support of Elsa and Betty – I want them to stay where they belong – IN LEEDS!
Frances Dodd

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Elsa and Betty should stay. They belong to Leeds.
Ann Miller

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The answer from me is a very clear yes. It seems people have forgotten the true meaning of asylum seeker. As a citizen of Leeds and a mother, I think there should be no doubt about their right to remain here.
I believe the UK should be a place of safety for people who have no other safe place to go and Elsa and Bethlehem have shown that they can be an asset to Britain. Thank you for bringing this to the public attention.
Becky Cherriman

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I write to express my support for Elsa and Betty as featured in Peter Lazenby's article. Of course they should be allowed to stay. It is an ongoing disgrace that refugees and migrants are treated like this. The bonus is that they are clearly both great people with much to contribute. Let them stay!
Dr Stuart Hodkinson

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Yes of course Elsa and Betty should stay. They have a home here where they are safe and together. They need our support. Who would want to separate a mother from her child? The trauma already encountered is enough without being treated so inhumanely.
Julie Collins

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Each time some foreigner is in danger of being deported we get protesters shouting and bawling it should not be allowed. I have no doubts these asylum seekers landed in another European country before they ended up in Britain. We all know why that is don't we? What with benefits, free housing and a thousand other things we are not aware of. All these asylum seekers want Britain and the streets that are paved with gold. All immigration should be banned unless they are in real fear and let us have rules and regulations like Australia and America before anyone is allowed into Britain.
Edward Hooks

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I support the case for Elsa and Bethlehem staying here. They have established new lives and are giving a lot to their new community and if given proper status would be able to contribute a lot more here. Sending them back achieves nothing – it will wreck their lives, most probably result in their separation at best.
Bring them back to Leeds as soon as possible and let them get on with their lives in a safe environment, among friends.
Kath Hynes

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In relation to your question 'Should she stay?' the answer is for us Yes. Elsa is a valued volunteer with The Manuel Bravo Project – a new charity which aims to help people with no legal representation, who are fleeing persecution. Our service is volunteer-based with top city law firms (DLA Piper & Eversheds included) assisting alongside other volunteers.
Without people like Elsa, who give their time to help others, we would not be able to operate.
Karen Gray

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Of course Elsa and her daughter should be allowed to stay. It seems to me that this Government are only interested in picking on 'soft' targets as far as illegal immigrants and asylum seekers are concerned. Dawn raids on women and children – surely we stood up once before against a country which behaved in this way. What happened to the great British spirit of offering protection to women and children? We need a much clearer immigration policy to be put in place that will prevent people like Elsa and Betty being returned to a very uncertain future and one which, at the same time, makes it quite clear if you commit or cause to be committed, a violent crime as a foreign national, you automatically negate your right to remain in this country. This hopefully would make it impossible for the Abu Hamsa's of this world to be allowed to live here, at taxpayers' expense.
Jonathan Greenwood, Kellet Street, Horsforth

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Thank you so much for your coverage on the Eritrean family. I have been touched by this story, as have many of my friends, please keep up the coverage as I would be interested and hopeful to know of the outcome.
Miss Kenny

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We don't live in Leeds but our son and grandchildren do. We know of this situation through personal contacts and say without reservation that Betty and her mother Elsa should stay in Leeds, which has been their home since 2004 and not be deported to Addis Ababa where their safety will be at great risk.
Stan and Bronwen Roberts

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Elsa and her daughter have suffered the shock of a dawn raid by the Immigration Service and several days in Yarl's Wood Detention Centre, making Betty feel like a criminal, even though she knows she has not committed a crime. This family is an example of those who can only contribute positively to this country. Solace is an organisation which offers treatment and support to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers. We have considerable expertise in the mental health problems of refugee children and fully support the campaign to allow Elsa and Betty to remain in the UK.
Gill Martin

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I was horrified to read about the treatment of Elsa and Betty and absolutely think they should stay and be welcomed back into the local community they have so clearly already settled into, as opposed to sending them to a country (or even countries) which is going to be at best difficult, at worst really dangerous, for them. Thank you for covering this really important story.
Cherry Lander

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What is wrong with our government?
An 11-year-old girl and her mother treated as criminals and detained in prison, they have done nothing wrong all they want is to be accepted and live in peace and safety.

Elsa wants to work to secure a better future for her child. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Elsa and Betty. Elsa is a gentle kind lady who will be an asset to this country and not a drain on it.
This government need to sort there act out and and stop picking easy targets and start sorting out the bad from the good.

If you are a criminal you get looked after and are protected by human rights, do human rights not apply to genuine honest people.
The question should never been asked, of course they should be allowed to stay.
Mavis, Leeds 11

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This is just a disgraceful act that violates the fundamental human rights of individuals. One would not expect such things to happen in a long standing democratic state and one that upholds the prnciples of respect for human rights.

These people came there because of their peervasive problems in their country and posssibly fear of pesecution from their national governments. Sending them would in, fact amount to violating major international conventions governing the protection of refugees. The legal test used to give refugeee protection is indeed "fear of persecution" which those people seem to clearly demonstrate.

Indeed one does not have to be too legalistic to condemn such disgraceful act. The manner in which they were taken from their homes without being well informed of what is happpening is itself some thing that dehumanises them and affects their dignity.

let me conclude by saying some thing, specially about Ethiopians or Eritreans for that matter. You may say that I am patriotic when I say this, but Ethiopians or Eritreans are realy good people who just want to make their lives better. If the British intelligence is not naive enough they may take data whcih may show i am sure that no Ethiopian is involved in any violent activity.

Let me conclude also by saying that "don't bring people to your country, and You have the right to do that but once they are there please treat them like people with dignity that deserve respect"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mesenbet Assefa

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Should Betty be allowed to stay? What a ridiculous question! This is her home, and as a British citizen I would be proud to think of it as a place of safety for her. It is appalling to treat a child like a criminal, and to threaten to send her to a place where she will most likely be separated from her mother (because she and her mother do not have the same citizenship) and where her personal safety will be at high risk. I understand that the Home Office can make mistakes, but that really is not acceptable as those mistakes involve terrorising innocent women and children, and ruining people's lives. Surely they can take a bit more care to see what is so obvious to everyone else! And surely they can start treating people right with dignity and common sense ... or is that too much to ask?
Lisa Clark, Leeds

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Should Betty be deported? Email us your views.

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Betty and her mother should not be deported. They are settled in Leeds and face danger and possible separation if returned to Ethiopia. Elsa has useful skills and Betty has a promising future here. Leeds has a long and honourable history of welcoming persecuted people from all over the world and making them welcome, and we should be proud to continue this tradition.
Wendy Collins, Leeds 8

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I don't think neither betty nor elsa should be deported because they are both unsafe in both ethiopia and eritrea as Elsa is an eritrean and betty is an ethiopian. Why can't the home office see this problem and let them live here in peace? I hope that someone realises this and ends their nightmare.
Helen

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I'm emailing my views regarding Betty and her mum being deported to Ethopia.

I believe strongly that no child should ever be detained in prison, and make no mistake over the word detention centre, Yarls Wood is a prison. Another Yorkshire based family busted at dawn, clearly they were well established at school and within the community, this is not a running risk case that requires 6-8 officers swooping at dawn. They are at risk of being killed and tortured if returned to Ethopia, its inhumane to deport a child that faces this. If her mother is killed what happens to Betty. The UK is signed up to the UN Convention of the rights of a child, our immigration system makes a mockery of it.

People need to shout loudly. I recently was involved in a case where another West Yorkshire mother was subjected to a dawn raid, her and her 3 young children shipped to Yarls Wood. The baby contracted numerous bouts of gastroenteritis from poor hygiene practices in preparing and giving formula at Yarls Wood and was prescribed a prescription only formula by a paediatrician. For 18hrs this baby had no milk, they gave Baby C diarolyte to stop dehydration.

If not deported by the time Betty and her mum are processed they'll most likely have lost their house, belongings and roots they've put down. If you're detained for 28 days you lose your house, if your given leave to appeal again you're shipped to a hostel only allowed to take a couple of bags each, immigration then rehouse people all over the country. The mum of 3 pleaded to stay in Yorkshire but was shipped to a city where she knows nobody, the older children have to start a new school and try rebuild their shattered, frightened lives whilst living under the shadow of it happening all over again. It still might end in deportation to a country where their mum will be killed, the baby will be at huge risk of dying as there's no access or money to buy the prescription formula or clean facilities to make formula and the older children will be orphans living on the street. It's time to end the UK torture of children, people come for a better life and we just make it worse.
Suzanne Tobin, Leeds

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Yes, Betty should be deported together with her Mother as there are too many supposed refugees or asylum seekers that come clear across the European Union to claim asylum here in Britain because we are a soft touch.

My understanding is that her and her Mother were refused asylum in 2005 and their appeal also failed earlier this year. You can write all the sob stories you like in the papers but we cannot continue to welcome all comers from everywhere on the (largely bogus) pretext of being refugees or asylum seekers.

It is high time that Government started to get tough with these people and also start rounding up and deporting illegal immigrants.
Brian Craven

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This is ridiculous!! How could they put a child through the tramua Betty must have felt having all those people knocking on her door that morning? Reading Betty's letter brought a few tears to my eyes. She is a lovely and caring person and was a well liked member of Cottingley primary School.

How can the Government seriously think that deporting a hard working member of society and let those who ask for asylum but constantly sponge from the state stay? It is madness.

Shame on you Jacqui Smith.
Rachael

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I picked up this story through NCADC, and whereas I am not in favour of uncontrolled immigration into this country, I do believe the justice and fairness our PM propounds should be an absolute given in the many sad asylum seeker situations. There have been widespread criticisms of Yarl's Wood and other detention centres from very reliable journalistic sources, where the treatment of some detainees leaves a lot to be desired, and I believe it is vitally important that the responsible press in this country are to be commended for highlighting so many cases.

In this particular case, one would have thought that any fair minded judge would have given these people leave to stay, not only because of the obvious potential dangers of repatriation, but also because they make a positive contribution to the country they have accepted as home.

Bless you people for this compassionate news thread.
John Bedigan, JohnBedigan@mail.com

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Thi sfamily should be allowed to stay - the home office is worng to deport anyone back to a country as dangerous as Ethipia, or ertirea, but to detain and deport an 11yr old is disgraceful. Every Child Matters - unless you are an asylum seeker. Whatever happened to ethical government?
Graham Hardy

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Betty and her mother should certainly be allowed to stay. They are lovely people who would make a significant contribution to any community in which they were living. Betty's mother cannot be sent to Ethiopia as has been made plain - the Ethiopian Embassy refused her a passport on two occasions. We should do the right thing by them.
Joyce

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It is inhumane to treat children and mothers in this way. They have done nothing wrong and every human being with family should be able to empathise that Elsa is just trying to make a better life for her daughter, and to be able to look after her family and use her skills to the benefit of our community, not to commit any crime. They should be allowed to stay.
Helen

Should Betty be deported? Email us your views.

How can we claim to be a free and fair society if we are prepared to imprison women and children where they have committed no crime? If we are prepared to sentence innocent people, who are at the heart of their community, to lives of violence and despair? We are no better than those 'axis of evil' countries whose human rights records we freely criticise. The ignorance and incompetence of the Borders Agency astounds me. I doubt whether they know where Eritrea and Ethiopia are, let alone understand the complex and dangerous circumstances in which they so carelessly wish to place Elsa and Betty. Shame on them for this. And shame, shame, shame on each and every one of us if we allow Elsa and Betty to be deported.
Martin Keat

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Please read the touching email. You have children or will have children soon or you were children at some point. Would you like to be tortured or your children to be tortured by someone for a sin that they never committed? Please stop torturing this innocent lovely girl. Please do not deport her.
Bruh

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I feel Betty and her mother should not be deported, as they are contributing to our country, as hard working citizens. If they were criminals, I could understand the inhuman way they have been treated. She has explained her situation and still she is not being heard. I am praying for this family, and I do hope that we, as British citizens support them the best we can. My thoughts and prays are with Betty and Elsa.
Carol

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Without having seen the decision on this case I am assuming that the Borders and Immigration Agency feel that a) It is safe for Elsa and Bethlehem to return to Ethiopia, and b) that they have insufficient ties here to call Leeds home. Elsa has been sent by the UK government on two occasions to the Ethiopian embassy to get a passport, so she could be returned to Ethiopia. Both times she was refused, the reason being she is not Ethiopian. Apart from this deportation being wrong it does not make any sense. I understand it costs in excess of £10,000 to deport someone. Is that doubled if they have to be brought back again due to the destination country refusing to recognise and accept them?
I urge the BIA to do the only sensible thing and send Elsa and Betty back home to Leeds today.
Catherine Beaumont

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Of course the family should be able to stay. I find it unbelievable that it took eight immigration officials and police to detain a young mother and her daughter in the early hours for commiting nothing other than the crime of seeking safety. I cannot imagine how terrified they must have been. Shame on the Home Office.
John

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Should Betty and her mum be able to stay? I don't think this question even needs to be asked, of course they should, they have made Leeds their home and they are both upstanding members of their community. In my view England is a place of protection, a country that believes in human rights so they should be treated fairly too, to remove a child and their mother in this way should not be allowed to happen. We need to do as much as we can to make sure that Elsa and Betty can stay, this is their home too!
Sophie Price
Leeds BME Network Officer

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Should Betty be deported? Email us your views.

No Betty should not be deported. She has settled here with her mother and should be allowed to stay. The asylum system is unfair, and could result in the death of these two people if they are returned to Eritrea or Ethiopia.
Ruth

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It appears to be quite common for asylum claims to be rejected in the first instance, with many people having to endure a laborious appeals process that can literally take years. During that time it may well become safe for the person and their family to return, but in many instances it is not. Like many asylum seekers, Betty and her mother have established roots, made friends and genuinely found sanctuary. They should not be forced to return.
Maria Spadafora

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Well the usual stuff about benefits and housing is brought up, but when you look at the FACTS a different picture emerges.
Fact 1 - Asylum seekers do not get benefit - a small allowance (and believe me it JUST covers a week's food bought from Netto.
Fact 2 Housing is "supplied" by the home office and is usually private landlord and of a standard that the council would probably condemn.

Elsa and Betty have made a home in Leeds.

Elsa does not want to claim benefits, but has shown by her involvement in volunteer work, and going to collage to gain a English accounting qualification that she is hard working and wants to be a productive member of the country and city where she has settled, and pay her taxes like the rest of us.

Betty has also shown that like her mum she is willing to work hard at school, has influenced those around her by her friendship and commitment to school society.

What is wrong with our government that instead of accepting genuine cases like Elsa and Betty, who have fully integrated into the society they have made home, and have a death sentence over them if they return to Ethiopia or Eritrea, want to reject and deport people without a thought to what will happen once they leave our borders.

When will common sense become common usage in the Home Office?

Denise Ramsden

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Betty 11, may be deported to Ethiopia

Betty's heartrending letter from detention centre