Government refuses to guarantee EU citizens living in UK can stay
Minister says it would be unwise to offer guarantee without assurances about UK nationals living in other EU countries
▻http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/04/government-refuses-guarantee-eu-citizens-living-in-uk-can-stay
Vote Leave’s position on EU and Irish citizens post-Brexit raises more questions than it answers
On 1 June, Vote Leave issued a statement outlining its plans for a post-Brexit immigration policy. Among other matters, the statement sought to give reassurance on two status issues that would arise in the event of withdrawal: the position of resident EU citizens, and the future rights of Irish citizens. According to Bernard Ryan, their position on migrants’ rights after a Brexit raises more questions than it answers.
▻http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexitvote/2016/06/07/vote-leaves-position-on-eu-and-irish-citizens-post-brexit-raises-more-q
EU citizens in the UK – Theresa May’s bargaining chips?
These are troubling times in the UK for EU migrants and anyone else with a migrant heritage. And if Theresa May becomes PM, EU nationals could find themselves being used as bargaining chips in some grand diplomatic game while the UK tries to cut its European Union ties.
▻http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2016/07/eu-citizens-uk-theresa-may-s-bargaining-chips
Is Theresa May really threatening to deport Europeans?
Does Theresa May really understand Brexit? Speaking to Robert Peston today, the Home Secretary seemed to be entertaining the idea of deporting European nationals staying in Britain. Or, almost as bad, using them as collateral in some negotiation with Brussels: a deeply worrying and, to me, revolting suggestion. But coming from the Home Secretary, we have no choice but to take it seriously.
▻http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/07/theresa-may-want-kick-europeans
#expulsion #renvoi
The UK’s EU Referendum and the victimisation of the European migrant
On June 23rd the citizens of the UK will have to decide whether Britain will remain a member of the EU, in one of the UK’s most important referendums since World War II. Arguably, a vote to leave would spell the beginning of a new era for Europe, which could compromise the sense of solidarity between European states and their citizens.
▻http://lacuna.org.uk/migration/the-uks-eu-referendum-and-the-victimisation-of-the-european-migrant
#migrants_européens
Theresa May refuses to rule out deportation of EU nationals living in UK amid fears of ‘influx’ of migrants
‘If we made that promise you could just see a huge influx…of EU nationals who would all want to come here while they have that chance’
▻http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-refuses-to-rule-out-deportation-of-eu-nationals-living-in
Brexit. Que deviendront les ressortissants de l’UE vivant au Royaume-Uni ?
La candidate du Parti conservateur au poste de Premier ministre s’est refusée à rassurer à long terme les Européens résidant sur le sol britannique.
▻http://www.courrierinternational.com/article/brexit-que-deviendront-les-ressortissants-de-lue-vivant-au-ro
Factsheet – Brexit and EU migrants. What does it mean?
▻https://www.jcwi.org.uk/sites/default/files/2016_07_12_INT%20FACTSHEET%20What%20does%20Brexit%20mean%20for%20EU%20migra
Let them stay? EU nationals in the UK after Brexit
A month ago, I, along with several of my colleagues from the UK in a Changing Europe programme, other academics, and politicians from both the Leave and Remain campaign, signed a letter to the Daily Telegraph calling on the government to guarantee the rights of EU citizens currently living in the UK:
▻http://www.niesr.ac.uk/blog/let-them-stay-eu-nationals-uk-after-brexit
How politically viable are proposals for an EU immigration ’emergency stop’?
Arguably the major stumbling block in Brexit negotiations concerns the relationship between membership of the Single Market, and the acceptance of EU provisions on the free movement of workers. A number of commentators have already analysed the options, and weighed up their feasibility. See for example the blog by Jonathan Portes on this, and a recent FT article. Here’s my take on the question. I pay particular attention to the question of political feasibility – both in terms of the EU’s potential to accept one of these deals, and its marketability to Leave voters concerned about immigration.
▻https://christinaboswell.wordpress.com/2016/08/04/how-politically-viable-are-proposals-for-an-eu-immigrati
I’m one of 3 million EU citizens in the UK. This uncertainty is unbearable
Since the Brexit vote our lives have been put on hold with extreme anxiety about our future. Theresa May’s government must clarify our rights and position
▻https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/oct/17/3-million-citizens-uk-brexit-vote-theresa-may?CMP=share_btn_tw
Londres durcit sa gestion des immigrés irréguliers
L’internement dans un centre d’expulsion d’un ex-Yougoslave à Londres depuis vingt-sept ans indigne des Britanniques.
▻http://www.tdg.ch/monde/londres-durcit-gestion-immigres-irreguliers/story/10747417
’It’s a horrible situation’: Dutch pensioner’s fears over UK residency bid
Elly Wright, who retired in 1993 after working in NHS and public housing, says she no longer has paperwork for application
British at last, Dutch woman ’horrified’ at loss of some of her rights
#Monique_Hawkins, who was told to leave after 24 years in UK, says she is happy to be able to vote but change of status is bittersweet
Glasgow University lecturer faces deportation despite being given government research grant
Dr #Kevin_Parsons, who now lives in Bearsden with his wife and two children, has been ordered to leave the country by June 11 or risk being deported by the Home Office.
The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union: safeguarding the position of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU
▻https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-the-position-of-eu-citizens-in-the-uk-and-uk-nationals-in-the-eu/the-united-kingdoms-exit-from-the-european-union-safeguarding-the-position-of-eu
Brexit: EU citizens living in UK will have to join special ID register
Theresa May sets out policy paper that says 3m EU citizens resident in Britain must reapply for ‘settled status’ under new regime
▻https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/26/eu-citizens-living-in-uk-must-apply-for-special-id-card-after-brexit?CM
EU Citizens in the UK: A Note on Home Office proposals (June 2017)
▻https://cosmopolismigration.com/2017/06/27/eu-citizens-in-the-uk-a-note-on-home-office-proposals-june-2017
All the rights EU citizens in the UK are set to lose after Brexit
LONDON — Theresa May on Monday released what she described as a “generous offer” to EU citizens living in the UK after Brexit. The plans, which will form part of the negotiations with the EU, were sold as offering Europeans living here rights which are “almost equivalent to British citizens”.
▻http://static5.uk.businessinsider.com/image/59520e2b44e5a327008b48a8-1024/gettyimages-458367623.jpg
▻http://www.businessinsider.fr/uk/all-the-rights-eu-citizens-in-the-uk-are-set-to-lose-after-brexit-20
EU children may have to apply to stay in UK after Brexit – leaked report
European commission analysis of No 10’s proposals concludes there was a ‘lack of clarity’ and no reciprocity
▻https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/28/eu-children-may-have-to-apply-to-stay-in-uk-after-brexit-leaked-analysi
Undocumented Germans? Diary of an EU citizen in the UK (22)
The point here is that as a result of Brexit, the reverse may happen. But this time it will not affect only the citizens of the newer EU member states but potentially all EU 27 nationals. And while I’m sure that some kind of solution will be put in place so that EU nationals that currently live in the UK will be able to continue in some shape or form to live and work there, I am equally sure that these measures will leave some out. Recent data on detention and removal of EU nationals from the UK already show signs in this direction.
►https://nandosigona.info/2017/03/29/undocumented-germans-diary-of-an-eu-citizen-in-the-uk-22
‘Not one of you any longer’: EU nationals’ Brexit uncertainty and mistrust
The Brexit vote has plunged EU Nationals resident in the UK into uncertainty. For the first time many face profound feelings of rejection, betrayal and fear for their futures and those of their children and families. Whatever deal is struck during Brexit negotiations regarding the ‘settled status’ of EU nationals, the general trajectory of May’s Conservative Government on citizenship and immigration has been the deliberate and open pursuit of a ‘hostile environment’. The promotion of discrimination through bordering practices that permeate multiple areas of everyday life – housing, health, education, legal support and advocacy, banking services and work – has marginalised all migrants but also any person of colour. The Brexit campaign and vote has shattered the myth of Britain as an open, tolerant society.
▻https://discoversociety.org/2017/12/15/not-one-of-you-any-longer-eu-nationals-brexit-uncertainty-and-mistr
The Uncertainty for European Families and Children in Brexit Britain
Dr Nando Sigona of the University of Birmingham explains the impact on UK-based European families and their children of Brexit and Britain’s planned departure from the European Union.
▻http://eaworldview.com/2017/12/the-uncertainty-for-european-families-and-children-in-brexit-britain
EU citizen registration in UK could become ’#new_Windrush', say migration experts
Critics warn many could be left without legal status to stay if settlement scheme fails.
Migration experts have warned that the post-Brexit system for registering EU citizens living in the UK could become a new “Windrush scandal” as the scheme to register an estimated 3.5 million EU citizens living in the UK begins.
From Monday, the third phase of testing will open to EU residents in the UK, who will be able to register for the new post-Brexit “settled status”. The Home Office is extending its live trial to all EU citizens who hold a valid passport and any non-EU citizen family members who hold a valid biometric residence card.
Critics have warned that thousands could be left without legal status to remain in the UK if applications are not processed quickly and effectively.
Maike Bohn, founder of the3million which campaigns for EU citizens in the UK to retain their existing rights after Brexit, warned trust in the government was low.
“The Windrush people trusted the Home Office and many of them got deported because they were citizens but couldn’t prove it,” she said.
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The expansion of the scheme follows two “private” test phases. The second phase saw 29,987 applications submitted with 27,211 decisions made. Of those, no cases were refused. However, the second phase was open to 250,000 people in selected universities, health and social care bodies.
The Home Office said 70% of applicants had been granted settled status with the remaining 30% granted pre-settled status, which is given to those who have been in the country for fewer than five years. There was positive feedback from 77% of applicants.
The immigration minister, Caroline Nokes, said: “From the very beginning we have been clear that securing the rights of EU citizens living in the UK is our priority.
“The report into the second private test phase of the EU settlement scheme shows clearly that we are well on track to deliver a system that will make it easy and straightforward for EU citizens to obtain status once we have left the EU.
“We are now in a position to proceed with the wider public testing of the scheme, which will provide us with further valuable insight before the full launch of the system by the end of March. We are grateful to those individuals and organisations that have participated in the testing so far.”
The rollout comes weeks after a series of bugs were exposed in the phone app, which does not work on iPhones, including complaints that the passport recognition function did not work on all Android models.
Politicians, migrant thinktanks and charities have warned the UK could face “another Windrush” if the settled status scheme fails.
Chai Patel, legal policy director at the joint council for welfare of immigrants, said: “EU citizens who do not pay to apply for settled status by 2021 will lose their right to live in the UK and become undocumented.
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“This is a major obstacle in the way of achieving the government’s promise that every EU national currently in the UK will be welcome after Brexit. By charging a fee and by setting a time limit for applications the government is making it certain that some people will not get settled status.
“And with 3 million to 4 million people needing to register, that means creating tens or hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants overnight. The poor, the elderly, [and] those with illnesses or disabilities will be particularly affected as the government is failing to set aside enough resources to help them.
“We therefore urge the government to do everything in its power to make sure everyone’s rights are protected after Brexit. Instead of creating a system that defaults to removing rights if a person does not pay for an application, the government should today grant a free and permanent legal right to stay to all EU nationals resident in the UK.
“The Home Office should then provide a free and simple process by which people can obtain documents proving that right.”
Jill Rutter, director of strategy for British Future and co-author of the report, said: “The Home Office must invest in getting the EU settlement scheme right from the start. Failure to do so could cause massive problems in years to come, on a far bigger scale than the ‘Windrush scandal’.
“The application system should work simply and efficiently for the vast majority of EU citizens. But there will always be more complex cases where people find it harder to navigate the system or to prove their residency – and the sheer scale of this task means even a low rate of failure equates to tens of thousands of people.
“The Home Office needs to make sure that people hear about the scheme, that it works well and that errors are remedied quickly when they are made. It must also overcome a legacy of mistrust created by the previous permanent residency scheme.
“This is an important test for the Home Office. The stakes are high. Get it right and the UK sends a strong message that EU citizens are welcome and the government is in control. Get it wrong and the consequences are dire.”
Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: “No one seriously believes that the Home Office will be able to grant settled status to everyone who’s eligible within two years. Thousands will be left effectively undocumented and subject to Theresa May’s hostile environment.
“Liberal Democrats demand better for the Europeans who’ve made their lives here and contribute so much to our economy, our public services and our society. They must not become the victims of a new Windrush scandal.”
▻https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/21/eu-citizen-registration-in-uk-could-become-new-windrush-say-migration-e
Brexit : contingents d’autorisations de séjour prévus pour les ressortissants du Royaume-Uni en cas de sortie de l’UE sans accord
Le Conseil fédéral entend maintenir les étroites relations bilatérales nouées avec le Royaume-Uni au-delà du Brexit. En conséquence, il a arrêté, lors de sa séance du 13 février 2019, des règles d’admission qui seront applicables aux ressortissants britanniques au cas où le Royaume-Uni quitte l’Union européenne (UE) sans accord de retrait. À partir du 30 mars 2019, les Britanniques qui souhaitent entrer en Suisse pour y exercer une activité lucrative bénéficieront d’un contingent d’autorisations qui leur sera réservé. Le Département fédéral de justice et police (DFJP) va préparer à cet effet, d’ici à fin mars 2019, une révision de l’ordonnance sur l’admission, le séjour et l’exercice d’une activité lucrative (OASA).
Dans l’éventualité où le Royaume-Uni quitterait l’UE sans accord de retrait, l’accord sur la libre circulation des personnes (ALCP) cessera de s’appliquer aux relations entre la Suisse et le Royaume-Uni dès le 30 mars 2019. À partir de cette date, les Britanniques seront alors en principe soumis au même régime que les ressortissants d’autres pays tiers. Pour ces derniers, l’exercice d’une activité lucrative est soumis aux conditions d’admission fixées dans la loi sur les étrangers et l’intégration (LEI). Au cas où le Royaume-Uni quitterait l’UE, non pas de manière désordonnée, mais en vertu d’un accord de retrait, les relations entre la Suisse et le Royaume-Uni continueraient, pendant une phase de transition qui durerait probablement jusqu’à fin 2020, d’être soumises aux dispositions actuellement en vigueur de l’ALCP.
Dans le cadre de sa stratégie baptisée « Mind the Gap », le Conseil fédéral a décidé, lors de sa séance du 13 février 2019, de créer un contingent temporaire de 3500 autorisations de séjour en faveur des ressortissants britanniques qui exercent une activité lucrative. Il entend ainsi, d’une part, atténuer, tant pour notre économie que pour les cantons, l’impact du passage soudain des ressortissants du Royaume-Uni du régime de la libre circulation des personnes aux conditions s’appliquant aux ressortissant d’États tiers et, d’autre part, empêcher toute concurrence indésirable entre les citoyens britanniques et les ressortissants d’autres pays tiers. Par ailleurs, des discussions sont en cours au sujet de la conclusion d’un éventuel accord bilatéral entre la Suisse et le Royaume-Uni qui permettrait de déroger temporairement à certaines conditions d’admission visées par la LEI.
Contingent de 3500 autorisations
Les nombres maximums d’autorisations de séjour fixés en faveur des ressortissants britanniques seront utilisables durant la période du 30 mars au 31 décembre 2019. Le Conseil fédéral a pris sa décision aussi bien en tenant compte de la position des cantons et des besoins de l’économie qu’à la lumière des prescriptions de l’article sur l’immigration inscrit dans la Constitution fédérale depuis le 9 février 2014 (art. 121a Cst.).
En tout, 3500 travailleurs devraient pouvoir être recrutés au Royaume-Uni cette année : 2100 au moyen d’une autorisation de séjour B et 1400 de plus sur la base d’une autorisation de séjour de courte durée L. Ces deux contingents apporteront à l’économie suisse la flexibilité dont elle a besoin.
Ces contingents seront alloués trimestriellement aux cantons. Les autorisations de séjour ainsi octroyées ne seront provisoirement pas soumises à la procédure d’approbation, et seront donc délivrées sous compétence cantonale. Cette mesure tient compte de la situation extraordinaire du Royaume-Uni ; elle constitue une solution transitoire, dans l’attente d’une clarification du futur régime migratoire concernant cet État.
D’ici à fin mars, le DFJP réalisera les travaux nécessaires à la révision de l’OASA et soumettra son projet au Conseil fédéral pour décision définitive.
En décembre déjà, le Conseil fédéral avait approuvé un accord avec le Royaume-Uni portant sur les droits des citoyens suisses et britanniques après que le Royaume-Uni aura quitté l’UE (Brexit). Cet accord bénéficiera aux ressortissants suisses et britanniques qui ont acquis des droits (par ex. droits de séjour) en Suisse ou au Royaume-Uni en vertu de l’ALCP. Le Conseil fédéral entend ainsi garantir le maintien de leurs droits et obligations actuels après le Brexit.
▻https://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil/documentation/communiques.msg-id-73962.html