A woman from the Welsh settlement in Patagonia was refused entry at Heathrow airport in London because customs officials did not believe that she was travelling to Wales to learn Welsh.

The settlement has been active in Argentina since 1865 and resident Evelyn Calcabrini, 20, was planning to spend six months in Glyndyfrdwy, Denbighshire learning the language of her ancestors.

Welsh MPs Elfyn Llwyd and Hywel Williams intend to raise the matter with Welsh Secretary Peter Hain. They were asked to intervene when Ms. Calcabrini was first refused entry.

Mr Williams said “I spent four hours on the phone trying to sort this out, trying to get hold of someone at the Home Office, and drew a blank.” He also said that UK Border Agency reviewed the decision internally but said there was no shifting on the decision.

The UK Border Agency said it ran a “firm and fair” system.

After a flight lasting approximately 15 hours, Ms Calcabrini arrived at London Heathrow, with a letter from the couple that she was to stay with confirming they would support her stay in the UK.

She had arranged to stay with Eos Griffiths and his Patagonian-born wife Carina, at their home in Glyndyfrdwy. However, she was told she could not stay in the UK and was sent home.

The link between Patagonian and Welsh people dates back to 1865, when about 150 settlers sailed from Liverpool to Argentina in the hope of establishing a colony and preserving Welsh language and culture. “We will continue to have these problems unless immigration officials understand what the link between Wales and Patagonia is,” said Mr Williams.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: “We have strict rules in place to protect Britain’s border and the responsibility rests with applicants to demonstrate they meet the requirements of these rules and will comply with any conditions attached to their leave.

“Where they do not, entry will be refused. The system is firm and fair, and it applies to everyone.”