Human trafficking victim saved from deportation thanks Glasgow supporters

Duc Nguyen was due to be sent back back to Vietnam today but the Home Office cancelled his flight after a campaign to keep him in the UK.

Thousands of locals signed a petition to save Duc, who has become an important figure in the community of Glasgow's East End.

Read more: More than 1,000 back petition to stop deportation of trafficking victim living in Glasgow

The Vietnamese man was trafficked into the UK where he was forced to work on a cannabis farm.

He was jailed for six months before being released on bail in January 2017 and relocated to Glasgow.

But after the Home Office refused his appeal for asylum, he was taken to Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre in Lanarkshire and then moved to Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre, in Harmondsworth, Middlesex, to await deportation.

Read more: More than 1,000 back petition to stop deportation of trafficking victim living in Glasgow

Fearing he would be killed if he returns to Vietnam, due to being a huge amount of debt to gangsters, local councillor Kim Long set up a campaign to save Duc.

During his time in Glasgow, he volunteered at local community projects, including the Lambhill Stables in North Glasgow.

My constituent has been forcibly sent to a detention centre. He has not had the opportunity to meet me as his MP or his solicitor.

I have written to the Home Office about Duc's case requesting that proceedings are paused so he can meet with his solicitor.#DucMakesGlasgow pic.twitter.com/Cy0d9P9peV

— Paul Sweeney MP (@PaulJSweeney) June 11, 2018

Through his work, he has carried out over 1,000 hours of volunteering, including fixing children’s bikes and preserving Glasgow wildlife.

He attends the local church in Haghill every week where he has made a number of friends.

Today, the Home Office accepted his application for a judicial review of his asylum claim which is expected to take around three months.

Speaking from an English detention centre, Duc said: “I am so very happy and I want the people of Scotland to know how much I appreciate them for fighting for me. Scottish people have always been kind to me. Thank you from my heart.”

Please help stand up against the deportation of trafficking victim Duc Kien Nguyen. Read the background: https://t.co/DpIvOkRRLc Sign the petition: https://t.co/3jfljcVumJ Share #DucMakesGlasgow pic.twitter.com/ZgR91XUYSR

— Patrick Harvie 🇪🇺 (@patrickharvie) June 6, 2018

Read more: More than 1,000 back petition to stop deportation of trafficking victim living in Glasgow

Local groups and councillors will now be continuing their fight to get Duc out on bail and back in Glasgow.

They will also be launching an review of his asylum seeker application.