Descendants Of Those Exiled To Make Way For US Air Base Fear Deportation From UK

A third generation group of people, from an island which Britain leased to the US, are facing deportation when they turn 18. 

The island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is the home of United States airbase, Camp Justice.

It is the largest of the Chagos Islands and when it was leased to the US by Britain 40 years ago, the Islanders or Chagossians were forced to leave when the multi-billion dollar base was being built.

Many came to live in the UK, where they and their children were granted citizenship.

However, descendants of Diego Garcia who are living in the UK say that citizenship is set to end.

When third generation children turn 18 they become adults and no longer have automatic right to stay in the UK.

Jeanette has daughters who will soon be turning 18.

She said:

"They already told me that if they go back, they will rather die because there's no family, no way to live."

Jeanette's oldest daughter, who did not want to be named, dreams of becoming a nurse. 

"I don't have the papers, so I can't do anything, I can't start driving yet...I can't do anything...can't get a job."

British citizenship can be bought, although it costs thousands and returning to Diego Garcia may not be an answer for those like Jeanette's children.

The UK have recently renewed their lease to the US for Diego Garcia and it remains a key base for the Americans.

Defence analyst, Christopher Lee, said:

"The Americans wanted somewhere where they could fly their B52s  which need an awful lot of runway and facilities, to not only go but to come back. And that's really the story of it. 

"The Americans lease it (Camp Justice) to fly airplanes to places like the Middle East." 

The Government are facing more challenges regarding the situation of the Chagossians following the Windrush scandal.

The Home Office told Forces News in a statement:

"The Government is aware of the issue and will be keeping the matter under review.

"Under current British Nationality law, citizenship is normally only passed on to one generation born abroad.

"This means that grandchildren of resettled Chagossians do not have a claim to British citizenship."