A popular teenager whose fight to remain in Bristol and not be deported back to Albania attracted nationwide support has been told he can stay in the city.
Stiven Bregu was told he was being kicked out of the country when he turned 18 and finished full-time education, just four years after he was dumped all alone with no money, family or contacts, in Keynsham one night in 2015.
A petition to stop his extradition after his case was in mid-June.
On the day he finished his last A-level exam, he how he managed to adapt to life in Bristol, before thriving to become a key member of the community in Totterdown and at St Mary Redcliffe School.
He became a mentor to younger pupils and won the backing of Mayor Marvin Rees after he took part in a City Leadership Programme.
From arriving at the start of Year 10 speaking no English, Stiven remarkably learned the language quickly, and stormed his GCSEs achieving top results - particularly in Maths - and was the subject of an article two years ago by Bristol Live celebrating that success.
Now 18, he told how he wanted to stay in Bristol and give back to the city that had taken him in, and had won a prestigious apprenticeship at a top wealth management firm here.
But the Home Office said that his right to stay as an unaccompanied child was over when he turned 18 and ended full-time education, and they denied him the right to remain when he applied.
Backed by friends, his foster family and his teachers at St Mary Redcliffe, Stiven appealed that decision, and attended a hearing in Newport last week where the strength of support was outlined to the authorities.
His head of year Rob Shaw, who co-ordinated the appeal, said he has now been told that appeal had been successful.
"Stiven has now heard the result of his appeal and I am delighted to tell you that he has been successful and has the right to remain in the UK," said Mr Shaw.
"The Home Office now have two weeks to appeal the decision, but assuming that they don't, Stiven will be able to start his apprenticeship.
"Thank you for signing this petition and supporting Stiven. He has really appreciated it," he added.
