More than two million EU citizens are facing a new challenge to living and working in the UK following Interior Minister Priti Patel’s decision to force them to re-apply to stay in the country permanently, the Times reported. They may even face deportation, the publication notes.
The interior ministry has ruled that 2.3 million people currently in “temporary status” will have to re-apply for “residency status” at the end of the five-year period for which they are entitled to remain.
Anyone who does not apply in time will lose the right to work, access to housing, benefits and may be deported.
The IMA Supreme Court has warned that Patel’s move is illegal and violates the government’s agreement with the EU. The move is likely to fuel tensions with EU countries over one of the most sensitive areas of the Brexit deal.
“If they do not apply, the Home Secretary will consider them illegally resident in the UK. As a result, they will be exposed to serious consequences affecting their right to life, work and access to the UK insurance system.”
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said 247,010 people had so far moved from “temporary status” to “settled status”. He added that people will be able to apply for the scheme later, “when there are reasonable grounds to miss the deadline”.
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