MPs back student visa for Mauro

Tuesday 08 November 2011

The young Angolan man threatened with deportation despite having lived in the Netherlands since he was nine can remain in the country while he applies for a student visa, MPs decided on Tuesday.

Mauro Manuel came to the Netherlands as an unaccompanied refugee in 2003 and has lived with the same foster family ever since. Now he is 18, by law he should return to Angola.

Last week, the ruling coalition voted against allowing Mauro to stay in the country. Today's vote was a compromise, supported by the Christian Democrats.

It is not clear if Mauro will apply for a student visa, which normally should be requested in the country of origin. The 18-year-old is currently attending vocational training college and is reportedly keen to start an actual job.

His lawyer is planning to take his case to the European court of human rights.

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