Bethlehem Temesgen, known in Cottingley in south Leeds as Betty, was arrested at her home with her mother Elsa early on Thursday.

Ms Temesgen, an Eritrean, fled her marriage to an Ethiopian in Ethiopia in 2004 and sought asylum in Britain.

She fears for her safety if returned to Ethiopia or Eritrea because both countries are fighting over borders and tens of thousands of civilians have died or been "ethnically cleansed."

In 2005 Ms Temesgen was refused asylum by the British authorities and an appeal this year failed. Betty and her mother are now in Yarls Wood detention centre in Bedfordshire awaiting deportation.

Betty was settled and doing well at school, and has just started at Bruntcliffe High in Morley after leaving Cottingley primary school.
Cottingley head teacher Dianne Elson said: "Betty was one of those girls who was consistently hard-working. She had a mature attitude to learning.

"We expected her to aspire to great heights. She had great respect for herself and others and is a smashing girl."

Read Betty's heartrending letter from the detention centre

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Bruntcliffe head teacher Lynda Johnson said: "She is a lovely girl. We have never had anything like this happen before."

Joanna Lee, one of Betty's best friends said: "Betty was a good friend of mine when we were at Cottingley Primary.

"She's been constantly moving schools, but she does seem happy here. I am rather upset by what is happening to her and actually rather angry as well. It is very wrong. I spoke to her last night and she was upset they were going to send her back."

Campaigners in Leeds are pressing for the two to be allowed to remain in Britain.

Before coming to Britain Betty's mother worked as an accountant, and she has been studying for British qualifications at Park Lane College in Leeds. She attends Beeston Hill United Free Church and runs a women's group.

Church pastor Tony Lee said: "Elsa is a very gentle person. Betty is bright and intelligent. She is excelling at mathematics."

The case is being investigated by Leeds Central Labour MP and Cabinet minister Hilary Benn, but campaigners fear she will be deported tomorrow.

The Home Office says it does not comment on individual cases.

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