6-Year-Old Tim Granted Permanent Residency in Sweden After Long Struggle
Tim, a 6-year-old, has secured permanent residency in Sweden after a long legal battle to avoid deportation.
Key Points
- • 6-year-old Tim received permanent residency in Sweden after years of uncertainty.
- • His family fought against his deportation with significant public support, gathering 180,000 signatures.
- • Tim was taken into care by Social Services and has been in a foster family since infancy.
- • The family is now looking forward to applying for Swedish citizenship and traveling to Spain.
In a significant development, 6-year-old Tim has been granted permanent residency in Sweden after a lengthy battle against deportation that began when he was just three years old. Tim's journey, marked by uncertainty and emotional appeals for justice from his adoptive family, took a positive turn as they received confirmation from the Swedish Migration Agency.
Tim was taken into care by Social Services when he was just 11 days old and was later placed with a loving foster family consisting of his mother Sandra, father Viktor, and their two biological sons. The family was devastated when, in 2021, they learned of the imminent deportation order, not just for Tim, but under circumstances where his biological mother also faced deportation back to Nigeria.
Their plight captured the attention of the public, leading to an outpouring of support. The family launched a petition through the organization Brinn för barnen, which successfully garnered around 180,000 signatures advocating for Tim's right to stay in Sweden. After being granted a temporary residency permit in March 2022, the family steadfastly worked towards securing Tim’s permanent status.
The moment of joy came when they opened a letter from the Migration Agency while picking up their mail. Sandra, who was braced for bad news, expressed the initial shock and ultimate ecstasy that ensued upon reading the news—that Tim could remain in Sweden permanently. The announcement brought tears of joy to the entire family, reinforcing their hopes and aspirations.
Looking ahead, the family is planning to apply for Swedish citizenship for Tim, and they are also excitedly anticipating a long-awaited trip to Spain together—a dream they have nurtured since Tim arrived in their lives. Sandra expressed heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous support their family received throughout this arduous journey, stating, “The stress has been replaced with a sense of peace.” This development not only secures Tim's future but also raises awareness about the challenges faced by children in similar immigration situations in Sweden.