EU citizens urge government watchdog to take action over increasing travel chaos
Britain’s hostile approach to immigration is leading to EU citizens living in the UK being traumatised while travelling, according to a new report by campaigning group the3million.
Over a third of people reporting problems to the3million after Brexit have had issues while travelling. Research shows the end of free movement between the EU and the UK has caused a deep anxiety for people when travelling back home to Britain.
EU citizens are calling for the Independent Monitoring Authority, the statutory body responsible for protecting the rights of EU citizens settled in the country before Brexit, to take action.
There are millions of people with a digital-only immigration status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme. Conflicting Home Office guidance to airlines has led to EU residents being denied boarding incorrectly, being denied travelling with their national ID, being asked for proof of their immigration status, additional IDs and given language tests.
Official guidance to carriers states they should not check EU citizens’ immigration status. EU citizens with rights under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement can travel back to the UK with their national ID. The report details people’s negative experiences being denied boarding and being questioned abroad on their way back to the UK, and at the UK border.
Exacerbating delays in processing visa applications for family members of EU citizens, as well as delays in granting status under the EU Settlement Scheme result in families being split apart for long periods of time.
The report details the experiences of people trapped abroad, not being able to travel either to the UK to be with their loved ones, or anywhere else, as the Home Office requires family members to submit their passports with their applications.
Others are imprisoned within the UK, unable to travel for months on end while waiting for a decision on their status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Monique Hawkins, Policy Officer at the3million, said:
No one should be denied their right to come home to the country they have lived in for years. Hostility towards EU citizens is only increasing, leading to significant disruption. On one hand, we are seeing people with granted immigration status being questioned and denied their rights.
On the other hand, family members are trapped in limbo, affected by significant delays. People have to live with this significant burden for more than 2 years, with families being pulled apart.
The current problems we’re seeing will only get worse. The Home Office is pushing ahead with huge changes through its New Plan for Immigration which will significantly increase problems. It is irresponsible to implement further digitisation of borders without first fixing existing issues, and fully considering the rights and consequences of all UK residents.
We call on the Independent Monitoring Authority to meaningfully engage with this thorough evidence base of issues EU citizens and family members are facing, and swiftly take action to stop people’s rights being denied.
Get in touch
For more information, please contact: Andreea Dumitrache, Communications Manager at the3million, [email protected], 07598 893045.
