Pauline Fredericks, a Jamaican immigrant to the UK, faces possible deportation because the Home Office can find no records of her legal status.  She has lived in the UK for more than 40 years but, because of some discrepancies, she might find herself back in Jamaica.

Mrs. Fredericks has lived in England since she was 11 years old and received her secondary and post-secondary education in the UK.

During her 40 years in the country she has fought a court battle to adopt an English child, done jury service, paid her taxes regularly and served as a youth worker.

But now she has to prove she has legal clearance to remain in Britain or face deportation.

Mrs. Fredericks said the problem began in December when she got a letter from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) asking about her status to work.

The organization said it had no proof that she was allowed to work in the country and demanded that Mrs. Fredericks produce evidence by the start of May.

If she could not she could lose her job, face a fine or go to jail.

When the grandmother contacted the Home Office to obtain a letter confirming her right to be in the country they said they had no record of her.

She now has to take a test that costs 35 pounds to show she knows enough about the UK and find 800 pounds for a resettlement application form to see if she will be accepted to stay in the UK.

Until then she is not allowed to work.