Judge allows Albanian criminal to stay in Britain

A convicted Albanian criminal is allowed to stay in the UK despite multiple illegal attempts to enter the country. Erind Koka, 33, has been expelled three times before but succeeded in sneaking back in on a fourth try. An immigration judge decided not to deport Koka. He argued that Koka was jailed for less than a year for growing cannabis, which did not qualify him for deportation. This case has drawn attention as more foreign criminals are winning the right to stay in Britain. The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, had argued against Koka's presence, saying it was not good for public safety. However, the judge ruled that Koka's crime did not meet the serious threshold for deportation. Koka first tried to enter the UK on a plane with fake documents, but he was sent back to Finland. He made several more attempts, including hiding in a trailer and a camper van, before successfully entering the UK in October 2019. After arriving, Koka was jailed for eight months for producing cannabis. The Home Office then sought to deport him, but the legal decision favored Koka due to his family life in the UK. He has a daughter and a partner here. Judges at a higher tribunal agreed with the initial ruling and found no legal errors. They emphasized the importance of focusing on relevant issues in court cases. Koka's appeal to remain in the UK was upheld, allowing him to stay despite previous legal troubles.