A woman whose father was part of the Windrush generation has received approval to take her case to the Court of Appeal in her pursuit to remain in the UK.

Jeanell Hippolyte faced rejection for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from the Home Office, which cited her lack of continuous residence in the UK since her arrival in 2000.

Having arrived from St Lucia as a 17-year-old student in 2000, Ms. Hippolyte left the country in 2002 when her student visa expired, in order to adhere to immigration regulations.

While her sister and two brothers successfully secured their residency in the UK under the Windrush Scheme, Ms. Hippolyte’s legal representatives contend that her situation is comparable.

Her legal team asserted that the intent behind the continuous residency requirement is to demonstrate “strong and subsisting ties” to the UK. They contend that the Home Office should have exercised discretion to set aside this requirement, given that Ms. Hippolyte has shown strong connections to the UK in alternate ways.

These connections include her prior visits to the UK, her children being born there, and her eldest child attending school in the country.

Ms. Hippolyte expressed that she feels “encouraged” by the court’s acknowledgment that the matters raised warrant thorough consideration.

She stated, “This appeal provides an opportunity to contest what I perceive as a significant injustice, and I am thankful for the chance to have my voice acknowledged.”