Home Office makes U-turn on deporting Scot who emigrated from US 30 years ago

Crystal MacIver, 44, was threatened with deportation because of an administrative bungle made 28 years ago.

However, Ms MacIver has now been confirmed a British citizen.

She said: “I’m over the moon. I feel like I’ve won the lottery.

“I got the letter and it’s the first time I’ve been able to sleep in weeks.

“I’m going out on Friday night with my family to celebrate. I want to thank everyone who signed my petition, and my MSP Patricia Gibson.

“I have no doubt that if it wasn’t for all the publicity, I would have been kicked out.”

Ms MacIver was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts but moved to Ayrshire when her mother returned home after getting a divorce.

Since then, she has worked variously in Scotland, married, had two children, remarried and had another child.

The confusion occurred because her mother failed to apply for a British passport after arriving in the UK – Ms MacIver simply renewed her US passport since then.

In 2011 after deciding to get a UK passport she faced the prospect of deportation.

She first had to prove her mother was British and, secondly, that she had the right to stay as evidenced by an immigration document.

However, she had no idea where this was or whether such a document existed.

Authorities told her to produce the documents by June 8 or she would be deported – forcing her to consult a lawyer.

A Home Office spokesman said: “All applications for British citizenship are considered on their individual merits and in line with the immigration rules.

“It is up to the individual applying for citizenship to provide the required evidence to support their application.

“Ms MacIver has now provided the necessary documentation and her claim for citizenship has been granted.”