A South African businesswoman has been advised by the Home Office to leave the UK after an application to continue living in Scotland failed.
Lizanne Zietsman, who owns the Sandwich Station on the Isle of Arran, has just over one week before she must fly away from both her husband, John, and her home.
MPs and devastated islanders are campaigning for the Home Office to reverse its decision and say Ms Zietsman is an 'integral' part of the island community.
The Sandwich Station in Lochranza is one of the island’s most popular cafes and islanders are now fearing for both Ms Zietsman's and the businesses' future.
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Almost 6,000 people – more than Arran's entire population - have signed a 38 degrees petition urging Sajid Javid to reconsider.
The petition reads: "Lizanne and John's business, the Sandwich Station, has become one of the top food outlets on Arran, and is highly coveted the island over; as well as being fully able to financially support Lizanne and John's lives here.
"Over and above, the Sandwich Station is able to employ locals, providing a valuable social and economic contribution to this rural location.
"By removing Lizanne from the country, this invaluable local business will face the very real prospect of closure."
Patricia Gibson, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, highlighted Ms Zietsman's situation in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
She called Lizanne a 'wife, businesswomen, employer and valued and respected community member on the Isle of Arran".
READ MORE: Scottish Tories say ‘flexible immigration system’ needed post-Brexit
She said: "Ms Zietsman is settled on the Isle of Arran with her husband, with whom she runs a successful small business.
I raised a #PointofOrder today to highlight the plight of my constituent, #LizanneZietsman, who is being forced to leave her #Arran home due to @ukhomeoffice. I urged the Home Office to reverse the decision, which has shocked #Arran residents. Watch here: https://t.co/gTPkpTQ7im pic.twitter.com/H93ZvGONn2
— Patricia Gibson MP (@PGibsonSNP) 3 July 2019
"There has been an outpouring of support from locals who are deeply distressed at the prospect of losing a valuable member of their island community.
"Ms Zietsman must not be forced to leave her home, her husband, her business and the community which has taken her to its heart."
Ms Gibson has contacted the Minister of State for Immigration in regards to the case and will present a petition next week calling for the Home Office to reconsider the 'appalling' decision.
The Home Office said: “All applications are considered on their individual merits, on the basis of the evidence provided.”
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