– I was completely shocked and don’t quite know what to say. I am 83 years old and my husband has passed away, so I just want to stay in Norway.
That’s what Takako Ellefsen (83) says to Dagbladet. She has been told that she must leave the country by 28 December. This became clear when the Board of Immigration (UNE) decided not to reverse the decision of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
Ellefsen first moved to Norway with her husband Karsten Ellefsen in 1965 and lived in the country until 1967. They later moved back to Norway before her husband died of cancer in 2009. Ellefsen had a residence permit in Norway from 2009 to 2013, according to UNE’s decision, which Dagbladet has gained access to.
– Serious problem when interpreters act like this
Hope UNE turns around
Ellefsen now lives with his daughter Klara Johanne Ellefsen in Stavanger. The daughter is a Norwegian citizen.
– I was shocked. We recently moved into an apartment together here in Stavanger. I was completely convinced that the Norwegian authorities would understand the deep, deep connection my mother has to Norway. I have always been Norwegian and have never had any other citizenship. I was really shocked, says Klara Johanne Ellefsen to Dagbladet.
On Sunday, the 83-year-old’s case was discussed by Dagbladet, VG, NRK and Stavanger Aftenblad. Daughter Ellefsen hopes that the Norwegian authorities will turn around in this case.
– I hope that it will happen. I have received many emails and texts from many people. People have told me they find the decision upsetting. I hope that all this attention and support we have received will contribute to my mother being able to stay in Norway after all.
No mercy for Mercy
Lived together in Spain
Daughter Ellefsen describes her father as a real Stavanger boy. She says that her parents met in 1962, married in 1964 and moved to Norway in 1965. She also says that she was born in Stavanger the following year.
– My parents moved back to Norway when my father was diagnosed with cancer. My father passed away in 2009 and was buried in Stavanger. I also moved to Norway so that my mother would not be alone. Later I moved to Japan because of my job, and then to Spain where my mother moved with me, says the daughter and continues:
– In Spain, my mother got a residence permit, and we lived together in a house. I was told by my lawyer that there should be no reason why my mother should not be able to obtain a residence permit in another EU/EEA country when she had already obtained a residence permit in Spain.
The daughter also says that Spain was hit hard when the corona pandemic broke out, and that as a result they decided to move back to Norway.
– She wants to be close to where my father was buried, and wants to be buried with him when that day comes.
Return to hell
UNE’s decision
In order to obtain a residence permit as a family member of an EEA citizen, it is required that you are supported by this family member, and that this support has been necessary. UNE concludes that Takako Ellefsen has not documented that she has had a need for support. This is mainly because Ellefsen has received a pension while she has been supported.
UNE then concludes that the 83-year-old has not documented that she has comprehensive health insurance that covers all risks in Norway, which means that they will not assess whether Ellefsen can nevertheless obtain a residence permit in Norway if she can be considered to be supported as part of daughter’s household.
In the end, UNE concludes that Ellefsen does not have a particular connection to Norway that would indicate that she should be granted a residence permit.
Director of Communications Ingrid Grimsmo at UDI informs Dagbladet that they cannot comment on individual cases until the person who owns the case exempts them from the duty of confidentiality. Furthermore, she refers to UNE, which has made the final decision. Director of Communications Bjørn Lyster at UNE states to Dagbladet that he is not familiar with the case, and refers to the decision.
Strict but unfair
– Unreasonable and incomprehensible
Daughter Ellefsen disagrees with UNE’s assessment of Takako Ellefsen’s connection to Norway.
– I never thought that the Norwegian authorities would reject her application for residence. The Norwegian authorities believe that my mother does not have sufficient connections to Norway, but we have extended family here.
The 83-year-old is represented by lawyer Maren Skåden, who tells Dagbladet that she finds UNE’s refusal to be both unreasonable and incomprehensible.
– UNE’s refusal appears to be quite unreasonable and incomprehensible. We disagree with UNE’s understanding of Ellefsen’s health insurance, Ellefsen’s connection to Norway and Ellefsen’s support needs, Skåden tells Dagbladet and continues:
– We have not yet decided what we want to do next. But there is a final decision, so either we have to take it to court, or we have to ask for a reversal.
