Most Fijians serving in the British Army are facing problems with their Leave to Remain applications.

Veteran’s Aid – a UK Charity Group that looks after veterans in crisis says Fijians top the list of Foreign and Commonwealth soldiers that are facing problems staying in the UK.

CEO Dr Hugh Milroy says since the case of Lance Corporal Isimeli Baleiwai came to light – a lot of Fijians are coming forward with their cases.

“We found a Fijian family in hiding. They are frightened to come forward. They are frightened to use a doctor because they’ve got all sorts of problems with leave to remain as a family….and we have found families where both partners serve and one partner is refused a visa. So effectively that could mean the family is split.”

Dr Milroy says this is costing the families a lot – as some have to wait between eighteen months to two years to get their cases heard.

“We know that there is a humanitarian cost to all of this. We will still be fighting to support this Fijian families- coz this will cost them dearly…financially, emotional psychologically – so we intend to continues to support the families…that have suffered because of this.”

He adds – the organization will continue to fight for these cases.

“Fijians soldiers come here – we recruited them …they came here legally …and we seem to be just viewing them because of the Boarder Agency as disposable items.”

Over 2,000 Fijians are serving in the British Army.