A spinal injury a few years ago meant she had to give up her job, leading her to apply for benefits for the first time. In 2015, she was told her disability payments had been suspended because she was an illegal immigrant.
O’Brien received a letter stating: "Home Office records indicate that you do not have permission to be in the UK. You should make arrangements to leave without delay."
The letter informed her "of our intention to remove you from the UK to your country of nationality if you do not depart voluntarily. No further notice will be given".
If she decided to stay, the letter warned, "life in the UK will become increasingly difficult"; O’Brien was liable to be arrested, prosecuted and face a possible six-month prison sentence.
Her case is significant because it shows the Home Office’s treatment of is not restricted to the Windrush generation, but is likely to extend to people from other Commonwealth countries.