The couple, Reem and Ramzi, both illegal residents, are unable to get a birth certificate for their baby boy, Yousuf, and consequently a passport for him as they cannot pay the government hospital’s Dh10,000 bill.

The couple have been staying illegally in the country since Ramzi lost his job earlier this year.

Reem told Gulf News she was four months pregnant when her husband lost his job. Her husband had tried to send her home but her passport was with their landlord as they had not paid the rent.