UDI admits mistakes and apologizes for tension – NRK Vestland

– My family and I are very happy to be able to maintain an intermediate residence permit. Now we don’t have to worry about being expelled from the country.

That is the victory of the father of young children, Francis Solomon in Austrheim, who was in danger of being expelled from the country after living in Norway for 17 years.

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) turned around on Wednesday and admitted that their refusal three months ago was wrong.

“We regret that the September 4 decision was made and the tensions this has caused for you and your family.”, type UDI.

In addition, they ask you to request reimbursement for your legal expenses.

Think of a false identity

Ten years ago, the 38-year-old Liberian admitted that he arrived in Norway with a false name and date of birth. Authorities now believe that he has not proven his identity.

Although the decision has now been reversed, Solomon will not receive a permanent residence permit.

Their attorney, Marianne Karlsen, says they will therefore consider appealing the decision.

– They base the decision on the fact that you have not yet verified your identity, which we believe is completely wrong. He has presented passports and school documents, which they did not accept. He has also offered to collect DNA from his mother, something to which he has yet to receive a response, Karlsen says.

Soon three children under the age of two

In March, Solomon and his wife had a daughter and are expecting twins this summer.

In September, he was denied an extended residence permit and three weeks to leave the country for which he has been running since 2003.

The UDI pointed out that its first daughter turned 18 this year, and that the residence permit was linked to her being a minor. He arrived in Norway in 2009.

Solomon complained and was acquitted. The reason is that the rejection “He did not agree with our practice in similar cases.”

UDI writes:

“His decision of December 8, 2017 did not contain any indication that the permit should not be renewed after his daughter turned 18. Therefore, we reverse the decision to keep your limited residence permit.

You have to apply for a provisional residence permit for one year at a time, as you have had to do in recent years, because the UDI still believes that there are doubts about your identity.

– Weighs more than the best of children

The UDI knew that Solomon had a newborn daughter when they refused on September 4, but now points out that on November 30 they learned that he and the partner were expecting twins in June 2021. But the UDI still does not believe that means that Solomon will have a permanent stay.

They point out that their oldest daughter has permanent residence and that the youngest is a Norwegian citizen.

“The UDI cannot see that consideration for the best interests of the child or other circumstances dictates that the restrictions be lifted. (…) There are strong immigration regulatory considerations in the case, especially the consideration of control and respect for others rules of law. The UDI believes that these considerations outweigh the consideration of the best interests of the child in this case. “

I dont know what to do

Francis Solomon is relieved and desperate. As things are now, he does not know how he will be able to convince the UDI of who he is.

– I have presented everything that I have of paper and document, but they say that the country is corrupt. For ten years I have asked the UDI what I can do to make them accept my identity. But they don’t answer that question, says Solomon.