Replace a lost passport with ILR

[toufik7]

Hi All,

My neighbour originally came from Jamaica in the 1960's as a minor, and was granted ILR some way back. For some reason (lazyness I suppose) he never applied for citizenship. He has kids who are british.

Earlier this year, he lost his passport with ILR and tried to get it replaced only the HO have asked him to prove his entire stay since he came to britain.
He can prove he was here for the last 40 years (through tax records and payslips) but HO wrote back saying they need documents showing his stay as a child such as church attendance, school etc. In the meantime he was suspended from his work pending the outcome so he has not earned any income since June.
Long story short, he got his documents back with a refusal due to unsufficient evidence. Can they really just refute an ILR just like that?

What options does he have now? I mentioned he should seek advice from solicitor but he has very very little money, are there any legal aids out there he can leverage?

[vinny]

See also No time limit (NTL) and SAR.