When Susan Graham attended an art class at Ross Baptist Church she did not realise the tutor, Mary Deaville would become such a good friend.

Susan was born in the UK and is a British citizen, she has family and friends in Herefordshire, including Ross. However, her parents emigrated to America, and Susan has lived there most of her life. She married an American about nine years ago and they lived there together until they decided to travel. While she and her husband, Thomas, were on holiday in Portugal they decided to make an extended visit to the UK to visit family.

Susan rented a flat in Ross for six months and they were happy living in the town, including attended Ross Baptist Church. However, after four months Thomas returned to the States to help a friend who had suffered a stroke. Once his friend had recovered he bought a ticket to England to rejoin his wife.

Susan told the Ross Gazette that she was distraught to learn that when he arrived at Gatwick he was refused entry to the country. She said he was kept for hours without any food, then moved overnight to Tinsley House, the immigration removal centre, before being put back on a plane to America.

Mary has supported Susan since this happened and is trying to get someone who can help her officially. Susan said she has not seen all the charges which have been made against her husband. But she understands that one of them relates to the rental agreement, which she said, the authorities claim this means her husband was not planning to return to America.

Susan told the Ross Gazette that she is desperate for help to understand the whole process. She has approached legal companies, but said that they are asking for a great deal of money. She is going to contact her local MP Jesse Norman to see if he can help her, but also wondered if there is someone in the area with knowledge of immigration who might come forward to give her some support or advice. If so, please contact [email protected].