Mother of 'illegal' infant arrested

Sharjah: A mother whose infant daughter was declared an illegal resident in Sharjah was arrested on Monday by the Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department (SNRD) on a charge of submitting forged documents. She was released hours later on condition she would return to the department on Tuesday with a guarantor's passport.

Her infant daughter Nayana, 18 months, had to spend the day at baby care awaiting the release of her mother who was still in SNRD custody.

The babysitter told Gulf News that she didn't know what to do with the baby who cried all the time.

Following the publication of Nayana's story in Gulf News last week, SNRD called the mother to inform her that they were ready to help her if she submitted her bank statement which she did.

The investigators at the investigation and follow up section at SNRD said that her bank salary statement showed a transfer of Dh3,000 per month but the salary certificate slip issued by the Health Zone in Sharjah which Sheeja had submitted showed her salary was Dh4,210 monthly.

According to the residency law, expatriates who want to sponsor dependants must earn a minimum salary of Dh4,000 plus accommodation, or Dh6,000 without accommodation. The facility is open only to certain professions however.

Last week Gulf News reported the story of the 18-month-old baby who was declared an illegal resident by the SNRD and given one week to leave the country after which she will get a one-year ban.

Nayana Sanjay Kumar was born in October 2007 at Al Qasimi hospital in Sharjah, but her parents, both Indians from Kerala, could not sponsor their newborn baby as the mother works as an assistant nurse, a profession not on the list of those who can sponsor dependants.

The girl's mother, Sheeja, who works at hospital run by the Ministry of Health, said when her baby was born she tried to sponsor her, but the application was rejected.

Sheeja said SNRD officials told her the baby had to leave the country in less than a week with an out-pass to avoid the fines; otherwise she would get a one-year ban.

The 26-year-old mother who lives here with her husband, a tailor in Sharjah, said she was told that after one year she could obtain a new visa for her baby and bring her back to live with them.

A senior official from the health department said on Monday that Sheeja was offered a higher salary certificate as she was about to be promoted from assistant nurse to a nurse following the completion of two years' service.

The official said the certificate presented to the SNRD was not forged.

"The reason for issuing such certificate for certain professions at the ministry is to help them to stay in the UAE because they are needed for the operation of the hospitals and clinics run by the ministry," the official said.

"We are keeping in mind the families of our professional staff who must remain united with their families otherwise they will leave to other countries," he said.

A weeping Sheeja said she had told the investigators that her baby was alone.

I think the law should help the people and if the parents are getting Dh4000 together please help this child to stay with her mother.
Rafi
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 13:44

I really feel bad for her. They should allow her daughter to be with her. Her profession is very prestigious. I think at this moment the employer should increase her salary so she can sponsor her daughter.
Sadia Babar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 12:12

So pity on the family. It's natural, how can a mother or father live without there chid? If possible there should be revision of the law at least for the mother's and child's cases.
Razia
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 11:13

It made me cry reading this article. I believe the authorities are right on the rules.
Mohammed Enam
Abu Dhabi.,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 10:45

How a baby can live without her mother so far away? i just can't understand.
Hassan
Sharjah,Pakistan
Posted: April 21, 2009, 10:19

Please do the needful to keep the baby with her mother.
Vinto
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 10:09

I still remember around a year ago there was a story about a toursit who was stranded because he had lost his passport and he got help from all sorts of people. Why can't this helpless child get the same?
M. I. J.
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 09:51

It's said but law will always be a law. Applicable to all. We expat mothers leave our children alone in our home country. Not one mother wanted to stay away from their children. But this is how it is sometimes.
Shirly Briones
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 09:50

Not fair on part of the child. The child is suffering, this shouldnt happen.
Faisal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 09:47

The authorities did their job, but they could have kept the baby with the mother, since the baby is only 18 months and she is still breast feeding. This is really a mental torture for the baby, the baby is innocent, for the mother's fault the baby should not be penalised.
Amina Mohammad
Ajman,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 09:45

the authorities could make some exceptions at least in the case of children, because they are not going to be a noisence to the society. Although the parents could bring better output to the firms they work in.
Sibi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 09:36

The authorities should come up with some laws in these kind of cases. How can a baby stay one year away from her mother?
Hala Taki Al Deen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 09:26

I think that Sheeja should be the person to take care of her baby and keeping her baby at a care center is not a good option since her baby is small and needs her mother. There has to be a way to help the baby to stay in the country with her mother.
Habibah B. Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 09:21

Most of my freinds are going back to their respective countries for the delivery. Personally it hurts us but at the end of the day we should follow the rules and regulation of the country we are living.
Hala Mousa Sharaf
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 08:59

Why not consider the income of both the wife and husband because the baby is the reponsbility of both so if the requirement of sponsorship is Dh4,000 and if the husband and wife are achieving the above amount so they are entittled to keep the baby.
Imdad Ali Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 21, 2009, 01:27