THIS student has the world at his feet. At 19, he is studying for a degree and looks forward to a career in IT.

But, in 34 days, his whole life will be rocked when he is deported to Kosovo.

An orphan, he has no family and no home to return to – but a small army of teachers, supporters and bosses in the UK is pleading for a last-minute re-think.

"I wish I had never met you, then it wouldn’t be so hard to leave."

These were Albert’s words to his 'adopted’ parents Ray and Tina Chidgey after hearing of his impending deportation.

Albert was formally arrested and interviewed at a meeting set up by the Home Office, wanting to know his intentions in this country.

He showed officers more than 25 letters from his past and present teachers and tutors, praising his efforts and recommending he be allowed to stay long enough to finish his education.

But, just 10 minutes after the interview, Albert learned a seat on a plane back to Kosovo had been tentatively booked for Thursday, September 1.

The Home Office decision to deport Albert has come as a shock to friends and his adoptive English family, particularly because he was on the brink of a promising career in IT.

Tina Chidgey said: "We were all shell-shocked on Tuesday. We don’t quite know what to do but we are going to fight.

"He is being treated like a criminal when he has done everything right."

The Home Office began proceedings to remove Albert when his initial visa to stay in England ran out in 2004 and he was refused an extension despite being in full-time education.

During the appeal process in March this year, an adjudicator recommended that, "any removal of the appellant should be delayed until the end of the fourth and final year of his university degree in June 2008".

But the recommendation has fallen on deaf ears.

Mrs Chidgey said: "With so many people backing him why are they sending him away?"

His family protested under Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention, which concerns the right to respect for private and family life.

But the appeal was dismissed because Tina and Ray Chidgey are not technically his family.

Ray Chidgey said: "People are screaming and shouting that there are too many asylum seekers and we agree, but Albert is not one of them."