A COUPLE facing a deportation heartbreak and the possibility that they could be split up will learn their fate today. Senior occupational therapist Heather Bullen, 32, from south Liverpool, will hear if her Afghanistan-born husband's appeal against being returned to his home country has been successful. Shah Wali Mohmend, 25, has fought for four years to remain in the UK after fleeing from Taliban forces in his home country. But after his asylum application failed last month, immigration officers told him he would have to return to politically unstable Afghanistan. In a letter, the Government suggested Ms Bullen could follow him if the pair, who celebrated their first wedding anniversary last month, wanted to remain together - despite Foreign Office guidelines advising Britons to stay away from Afghanistan. The couple have collected more than 1,000 letters of support and petition signatures from family, friends, community leaders and politicians, which they are using in their case at an immigration appeals court in Stoke. Ms Bullen said last night she was hopeful about the appeal but added she would take the risk of moving to Afghanistan if she had to. She said: "We have had so much support. People like doctors, vicars and union leaders have written letters saying Shah should be allowed to stay in the country. "The people who know us know we are committed to our marriage and we are not being supported by the State - Shah would work tomorrow if he was allowed to. There is no reason why he should be turned away. "The last few months have been like a rollercoaster ride. Some days have been so stressful that I have been unable to work. I just hope the judge will make a reasonable decision based on all the support we have so we can get on with our lives. "I am not thinking about what will happen if we lose the appeal. We have to go on thinking we will win. But if the worst does happen, we will fight it as much as we can. Ultimately, we will stay together." Those who have pledged their support include Liverpool Riverside MP Louise Ellman, Prof David Theakson, from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and Canon Bob Wilkes, of Mossley Hill Rectory, which Ms Bullen attends. Mr Mohmend, who was a farmer living near Jalalabad, arrived in London in 2001 and was dispersed to Liverpool where he was introduced to Ms Bullen by friends. The couple married in July last year, following a year-long engagement. Mr Mohmend, who has not received benefits since 2003, volunteers at the Citizens Advice Bureau and is financially supported by his wife. After his asylum application failed last month, the couple received a Home Office letter stating Mr Mohmend's "removal to Afghanistan will not interfere with (his) family life" as Ms Bullen could move there with him. The letter, addressed to Mr Mohmend, read: "She (Ms Bullen) may apply to settle with you in Afghanistan or to accompany you to that country while you apply for an entry clearance which would allow you to return to the United Kingdom." Later, it stated: "It is not considered that you would be at risk of having your human rights breached. There are no insurmountable obstacles to your family life being continued overseas." However, the Foreign Office website states: "We strongly advise against all but essential travel to Kabul and against all travel to other parts of Afghanistan." The website cites terrorist activity, suicide bombings and kidnappings as reasons to stay away. | 
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