A HOLY Cross College student is continuing her fight to stay in the country — despite receiving an order saying she must leave today.

Saskia Iloba, aged 17, and her family were sent to a detention centre last month when their application for asylum was refused.

Despite a campaign to keep the family in the UK, a notice of removal was issued earlier this week and the family could be deported back to Nigeria within hours.

But they are determined to fight and have appointed new solicitors, who hope to win a temporary reprieve.

Their friends and teachers were due to meet immigration minister Phil Woolas yesterday to hand over petitions featuring thousands of names. Amnesty International are also working with the family to try to secure asylum on compassionate grounds.

Speaking from Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre in Bedfordshire, Saskia said: “We are just praying and hoping that we can stay. We are crossing our fingers that Phil Woolas will change his mind.”

Saskia fled Nigeria in 2004 with her mother, Betty, and brothers Toby, aged 18, and Emmanuel, aged 14.

Their father was a police officer who they believe was murdered by people involved in a case he was investigating.

Death threats were made against Mrs Iloba, so she decided to take her children to Britain after her husband’s funeral.

The family settled in Rochdale and Saskia was appointed as head girl at North Manchester High School before attending Holy Cross College.

She received her AS-level results by telephone last week, picking up an A in psychology, B in economics, and Cs in chemistry and maths.

Saskia said: “I am pleased with my grades, because I was doing my exams at the same time as dealing with the immigration matters. I tried my best, but it was difficult to concentrate at times. I will have to do some exams again to improve my results.

“I would love to go back to Holy Cross to finish my A-levels, but that all depends on whether I am still in the country.”