Grenfell fire: 'I was too afraid because I'm undocumented'
By Nomia Iqbal and Rickin Majithia BBC Asian Network
There have been persistent claims that the Grenfell Tower death toll is higher than official estimates because there were undocumented residents living there. One such woman explains why she is too afraid to come forward to the authorities.
Rhea is from the Philippines and lived on the 21st floor of the high rise tower, with her friend Helen and her 12-year-old daughter.
But, unlike Helen, 40-year-old Rhea wasn't a registered tenant, having lost her legal right to remain in the UK in 2012.
Having been caught up in the fire on 14 June, she is now homeless and afraid to identify herself to immigration officials.
Rhea arrived in the UK in 2010 on a one-year working visa with an employer, but this expired.
"I didn't have money to renew it and I couldn't find an employer as a solicitor was holding my documents"
She eventually moved into Grenfell at the end of last year, and into her friend Helen's flat.
Eventually Helen and her daughter escaped. But she now finds herself in the nightmare situation of being homeless again.
Last week the government announced a 12-month immigration "amnesty" for survivors like Rhea. She now has all the documents she needs to stay and is being kept in a hotel.
"Home is different than the hotel. But I am grateful I'm here. I feel a bit better because there are people showing they care and are there to support me.
"After this, I don't know. If there is possibility for me to have my own place, then I would like that especially as I have a young son."
She says she's now trying to make use of her legal status, but the future is uncertain.
"My family back home need my support. I called them in the Philippines, and to hear them say they still need me, is upsetting.
"That's why I was afraid to face immigration because they would send me home. I thought, how are we going to live? We are not rich, we are poor, we have nothing."
