Rosa’s Story | I’m really worried about travelling after I was held by border force while coming back home

Rosa just finished her A levels and is starting her nursing degree. She’s a Spanish citizen, has pre-settled status and has been living in the UK for 4 years. After going through a difficult experience travelling and being held by Border Control, she’s scared of what could happen in the future. 

“I was coming back from Spain when my passport didn’t work at the e-gates, so I queued to speak to an officer.

“What are you doing in the UK?”, he asked me. I told him I study and live here, it’s been my home for four years. He asked me details of my school, its address and whether it’s part time or full time. I told him all of that and let him know I have pre-settled status.

I’d gone to Spain to renew my passport before it expired. I didn’t want to get caught out without an up to date document. I explained I have my old passport too, which was still in date, but had its corner cut when I got my new one. 

When the border officer told me he can’t find my status on either document, I felt dread come over me. I didn’t have wifi or data on my phone, so I couldn’t log in to show them that I do have pre-settled status. 

I was led to a stuffy room with other people and told me to wait. I felt everyone’s eyes on me as they were walking me away. It made me feel like a criminal, like it was my fault and I’d done something horrible and wrong.

Half an hour later, he came back and said he needed more information. He asked me more questions. In the meantime, I got my phone to work. When I showed them a screenshot of my status, they took my phone away and told me to wait again. 

I just didn’t know what was going to happen. I felt alone and alienated, worried and stressed out, with no way of contacting anyone. 

When I was finally let go, I wasn’t given any explanation. I’ve now added my new passport to my account, but I don’t feel comfortable with the thought of travelling. It’s left me thinking that an error in a system somewhere could lead to me not being able to come home.

No one should feel that stressed and anxious. We need more security in our status, and having a physical document would help a lot.”