Noreen Real lives in the same block as the Vucaj family, and was a close friend of theirs. Since their deportation she has been very active in the campaign against deportation of asylum seekers.

Ahlam Souidi fled persecution in her country in 2001. She has written: 'We ran away from trouble, from unfairness, from inhumanity, from children burnt in ovens, from the knifing of pregnant women. We ran away from saying yes is no and no is yes, from right is wrong and wrong is right. We ran away from unfairness to fairness, to Britain, to security, to warmth, to justice, because we were hopeful and wished for a better life.'

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Noreen speaks at a demonstration protesting deportation at the home office premises in Glasgow.  Brand St., Glasgow, November 2005

Noreen speaks at a demonstration protesting deportation at the home office premises in Glasgow. 
Brand St., Glasgow, November 2005

Noreen laughs as she recounts tales of nights out with Nexhi Vucaj, and of their running joke as to ‘who had the biggest arse.’ (Noreen claims she won. Nexhi was not present to defend herself.) She says of her friend, “I’ve got two sisters, one

Noreen laughs as she recounts tales of nights out with Nexhi Vucaj, and of their running joke as to ‘who had the biggest arse.’ (Noreen claims she won. Nexhi was not present to defend herself.) She says of her friend, “I’ve got two sisters, one of blood. The other is Nexhi [Vucaj]. I’ll fight her corner to the end. This hasn’t been one death in my family, this has been like five deaths. And I’ll no' rest till I see them back here.” 
Kingsway, Glasgow, October 2005

‘Treasured possessions’. Gifts from Saida and Nexhi Vucaj adorn Noreen’s television. Kingsway, Glasgow, October 2005

‘Treasured possessions’. Gifts from Saida and Nexhi Vucaj adorn Noreen’s television.
Kingsway, Glasgow, October 2005

Noreen listens to a speaker at a public meeting. Woodside Hall, Glasgow, October 2005

Noreen listens to a speaker at a public meeting.
Woodside Hall, Glasgow, October 2005

Noreen speaks at a public meeting, lamenting deportation and the impact it has on communities by tearing friends apart. Woodside Hall, Glasgow, October 2005

Noreen speaks at a public meeting, lamenting deportation and the impact it has on communities by tearing friends apart.
Woodside Hall, Glasgow, October 2005

Noreen holds a picture of Saida Vucaj taken around 2003. Saida was 13 when she was deported from Glsagow. She and her family had spent five years in Glasgow. From the time the family arrived, Noreen would help Saida, who was then eight, with her hom

Noreen holds a picture of Saida Vucaj taken around 2003. Saida was 13 when she was deported from Glsagow. She and her family had spent five years in Glasgow. From the time the family arrived, Noreen would help Saida, who was then eight, with her homework. Noreen used to say “Wha’ ye talkin’ aboot” to Saida to teach her ‘Glaswegian’. 
Kingsway, Glasgow, October 2005

Noreen Real lives in the same block as the Vucaj family, and was a close friend of theirs. The Vucaj family was deported in September 2005. Police and immigration officers took the family into detention in a ‘dawn raid’, and forcibly deported the fa

Noreen Real lives in the same block as the Vucaj family, and was a close friend of theirs. The Vucaj family was deported in September 2005. Police and immigration officers took the family into detention in a ‘dawn raid’, and forcibly deported the family to Northern Albania two weeks later. 
Kingsway, Glasgow, October 2005

While in the UK, asylum seekers are given plenty of opportunity to ‘integrate’. Ahlam told me: 'We have integrated. My child was born here. We are doing everything. But at the end we have received a letter from the home office saying we have a

While in the UK, asylum seekers are given plenty of opportunity to ‘integrate’. Ahlam told me: 'We have integrated. My child was born here. We are doing everything. But at the end we have received a letter from the home office saying we have a definite refusal. Since then we have been reporting weekly [to Brand St].'
Cardonald College, Glasgow, November 2005

Ahlam Souidi arrived in the UK in 2001. She and her family fled persecution in their home country, but she is unwilling to publicise details due to probable persecution should she and her family be forced to return to her country. Here, Ahlam studie

Ahlam Souidi arrived in the UK in 2001. She and her family fled persecution in their home country, but she is unwilling to publicise details due to probable persecution should she and her family be forced to return to her country.
Here, Ahlam studies English at Cardonald College.
Cardonald College, Glasgow, November 2005

Ahlam, like many who have been in the UK for the past five or so years, has taken full advantage of opportunities available to her. In addition to learning English to a highly proficient standard, she is an energetic community representative through

Ahlam, like many who have been in the UK for the past five or so years, has taken full advantage of opportunities available to her. In addition to learning English to a highly proficient standard, she is an energetic community representative through the Scottish Refugee Policy Forum, involved in community projects, voluntary French teaching and more.
Scottish Refugee Policy Forum, November 2005