Where do I go?' EU citizens face legal limbo after decades in Britain

[Baerboxer]

23 hours ago, Scot123 said:

I do not believe this. Having just returned to UK after living in Thailand with my family for 9 years and seeing all the things here telling EU citizens to apply for status to stay here. The government here is bending over backwards for them. Its simply either a mistake or she has been arrogant or on purpose not provided the required documents and its that simple. She has the right to appeal. Just another attention seeker. 

 

Or there again it could be just the <deleted> process, poor training and/or attitude problems of the clerks employed to process such cases. 

 

Far too many cases come to light. <deleted> she has a long term British husband and 2 British kids. Are these moronic jobsworths devoid of all common sense and intelligence.

 

Now, if she was an illegal economic migrant from outside the EU she'd be showered in benefits!

[Baerboxer]

8 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well it’s totally ill informed.

 

Nothing in this crock of Brexit is remotely promising to return Britain to the British.

 

It might reduce the number of EU citizens in or coming to the UK, but the UK needs immigrants, hence Liam Fox’s dash to India and the Philippines  

 

The idea that ‘It is time for Britain to be returned to the British’ delusional.

 

That has been one of the key con tricks of the Brexit supporting politicians. Many Brexit supporters think once we leave the EU all those Asians and illegal economic African and Middle Eastern "refugee" will suddenly disappear. 

[evadgib]

9 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

That has been one of the key con tricks of the Brexit supporting politicians. Many Brexit supporters think once we leave the EU all those Asians and illegal economic African and Middle Eastern "refugee" will suddenly disappear. 

I'm not one to ask for links but would be most surprised if you could back this nonsense up.

[usviphotography]

14 hours ago, SammyT said:

I find it hilariously ironic that you're advocating Britain for the British as a Brit living in Thailand. Bet you'd get angry at a Thai who says Thailand should be for the Thais. 

Thailand is for Thais. Western Immigration to Thailand is minimal, and that bulk of it is retirees who leave no lasting impact whatsoever on the society. If British Immigration Policy were on par with Thailand, there never would have been any blowback and Brexit wouldn't even be a thing.  

[gunderhill]

Seems  this is a worldwide  problem, the ability to go and stay in many countries and marry a  native  have kids etc, stay years then be told  <deleted>  off. Married  10  years should = stay. 

[tomacht8]

51 minutes ago, gunderhill said:

Seems  this is a worldwide  problem, the ability to go and stay in many countries and marry a  native  have kids etc, stay years then be told  <deleted>  off. Married  10  years should = stay. 

Absolute. The difference between people who have been married for a long time, live in the country and have a relationship to the local culture,  should be treated differently to those who come without any bond into the country.

[tomacht8]

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

 

That has been one of the key con tricks of the Brexit supporting politicians. Many Brexit supporters think once we leave the EU all those Asians and illegal economic African and Middle Eastern "refugee" will suddenly disappear. 

If you put it provocatively, the UK should prefer to stand up for strong EU external borders. EU residents have a culturally similar orientation and adaptive capacity. Many EU people find the Brexit is the poodle who make poo in the common living room. 

The problem of immigration is mainly due to non-willingness to adapt, from non-EU countries.

Edited August 31, 2019 by tomacht8

[nontabury]

I cannot understand how she’s in this predicament. Firstly why has she not applied for a British  passport, just the same as the Thai wives of Brits have to do. If she does’t want a British Passport then she can still quite easily stay her, as long as she applies for the relevant visa, exactly the same as a Thai wife that I know of, has done. Or the Chinese wife of another Brit, who does not want to give up her Chinese citizenship.

 Very simple really,unless you think you should be treated differently.

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2019 by Scott

[gearbox]

22 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

They can go home if they are unhappy. It is time for Britain to be returned to the British. I suppose someone will see that statement has totally wrong!

Sure, go back and claim your share! ????

 

[stevenl]

7 hours ago, evadgib said:

I'm not one to ask for links but would be most surprised if you could back this nonsense up.

See e.g. the post following yours, a clear admission immigration was one of the main issues. And there have been many more, especially lately, it seems posters have become more honest about their motives.

[stevenl]

5 hours ago, nontabury said:

I cannot understand how she’s in this predicament. Firstly why has she not applied for a British  passport, just the same as the Thai wives of Brits have to do. If she does’t want a British Passport then she can still quite easily stay her, as long as she applies for the relevant visa, exactly the same as a Thai wife that I know of, has done. Or the Chinese wife of another Brit, who does not want to give up her Chinese citizenship.

 Very simple really,unless you think you should be treated differently.

 

 

 

No, just the officers not following their own guidelines.

Please stop blaming the victims.

[Letseng]

21 hours ago, jesimps said:

We aren't immigrants to Thailand and are here on 12 months approval only. You can't compare us to EU citizens in the UK, it's chalk and cheese.

You may not be an immigrant but you continue to live here year after year. And why would this give you the right to complain about Thai immi rules?

If you consider the rules unfair, Eucador or Nicaragua or Panama may be the answer?

[Thongkorn]

On 8/31/2019 at 3:12 AM, robblok said:

If the UK does this they should kick all the Brits out of Spain and Portugal and so on. Let them feel the pain too. Simple 

It will be a blessing , Because over 3 minion people from the EU are in  a small island called  Britain, 2 million un registered. Far more than Brit expats live in Europe,

Edited September 1, 2019 by Thongkorn

[robblok]

1 hour ago, Thongkorn said:

It will be a blessing , Because over 3 minion people from the EU are in  a small island called  Britain, 2 million un registered. Far more than Brit expats live in Europe,

Tell that to the Brits who have to leave their new homes.. just as bad as those who are forced now to leave their homes in the UK. 

[7by7]

14 hours ago, nontabury said:

I cannot understand how she’s in this predicament. Firstly why has she not applied for a British  passport, just the same as the Thai wives of Brits have to do. If she does’t want a British Passport then she can still quite easily stay her, as long as she applies for the relevant visa, exactly the same as a Thai wife that I know of, has done. Or the Chinese wife of another Brit, who does not want to give up her Chinese citizenship.

 Very simple really,unless you think you should be treated differently.

 No one who has migrated to live in the UK has to apply for British citizenship! 

 

How many British citizens living in, for example, Spain have applied for Spanish citizenship? very few, if any, I suspect.

 

The woman in the OP had the relevant permission to remain in the UK because she is a EU national; just as Brits in other EU countries had the same there. Before Brexit there was no legal requirement for her to apply for permanent residence. Totally different to non EU/EEA nationals who entered the UK under the UK's immigration rules.

 

Of course, Brits in other EU countries are facing similar hassles. For example; This is what the Spanish are promising Brits if there is a no-deal Brexit.

 

But having read various reports and listened to or watched same on radio and TV, it seems the problems arise through poor training at best, incompetence at worst, amongst Home Office staff employed to deal with the applications.

 

 

[7by7]

16 hours ago, evadgib said:

16 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

That has been one of the key con tricks of the Brexit supporting politicians. Many Brexit supporters think once we leave the EU all those Asians and illegal economic African and Middle Eastern "refugee" will suddenly disappear. 

I'm not one to ask for links but would be most surprised if you could back this nonsense up.

 Well, there's this for starters!

 

 

You'll find many similar views expressed on many platforms if you care to look.

 

Fed, no doubt, in part by Farage's infamous poster!

 

 

Not many ethnic Europeans there!

[Blue Muton]

On 8/31/2019 at 10:12 AM, nahkit said:

 

So both of them could easily remain in the UK if the really wanted to due to their having a British spouse.

 

What a non-story, the remainer media are getting desperate.

Wow, reading not a strong point of yours, or perhaps its comprehension that's your problem.

[7by7]

1 hour ago, Thongkorn said:

On 8/31/2019 at 3:12 AM, robblok said:

If the UK does this they should kick all the Brits out of Spain and Portugal and so on. Let them feel the pain too. Simple 

It will be a blessing , Because over 3 minion people from the EU are in  a small island called  Britain, 2 million un registered. Far more than Brit expats live in Europe,

 

Go to the Costas and say that to the British pensioners living there; but make sure you have your EHIC card!

[7by7]

On 8/31/2019 at 4:12 AM, nahkit said:

So both of them could easily remain in the UK if the really wanted to due to their having a British spouse.

 

What a non-story, the remainer media are getting desperate.

 

To become naturalised as British they not only do they have to pass the English and LitUK tests, they also have to have settled status in the UK! 

 

Which is what they have applied for, but like many others have had their applications cocked up by incompetent, poorly trained, temporary Home Office staff!

[7by7]

On 8/31/2019 at 3:30 AM, evadgib said:

His 'Britain for the British' surely includes the woman in the OP and her ilk who have lived there for 55 years and have done sod all to help themselves since the 2016 vote though eh?

 Firstly, they didn't have to do anything; they had the legal right to live here.

 

Yes, they could have applied for PR and then citizenship, and many did, apart from her and an American couple all the others at my wife's citizenship ceremony were EU nationals, but there was no legal requirement that they do so.

 

Of course, Brexit changed that. But, as it says in the OP,

On 8/30/2019 at 10:44 AM, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The government launched its EU Settlement Scheme for registering EU citizens in January this year

So to lambast her and others for doing nothing since 2016 only shows your lack of knowledge about the subject; which would have been rectified had you read the OP! 

[Thongkorn]

2 hours ago, 7by7 said:

 

Go to the Costas and say that to the British pensioners living there; but make sure you have your EHIC card!

Nobody ask them to leave their choice and the British People who still live in the UK  have had their vote, To leave with all that it entails,

And come to think of it not many Brits in Europe live 6/7/8/10 to a house  and claim for children back in the UK as many Eastern Europeans do, who have never paid any tax over the years.you say they are  Senor Citysens,  They pay there way in ever which European country they live , Dont think any Country will kick out paying Customers.

Edited September 1, 2019 by Thongkorn

[evadgib]

2 hours ago, 7by7 said:

 Firstly, they didn't have to do anything; they had the legal right to live here.

 

Yes, they could have applied for PR and then citizenship, and many did, apart from her and an American couple all the others at my wife's citizenship ceremony were EU nationals, but there was no legal requirement that they do so.

 

Of course, Brexit changed that. But, as it says in the OP,

So to lambast her and others for doing nothing since 2016 only shows your lack of knowledge about the subject; which would have been rectified had you read the OP! 

And if you'd read my OP instead of going off on one yet again you'd have understood the point I had made.

[nontabury]

8 hours ago, 7by7 said:

 

To become naturalised as British they not only do they have to pass the English and LitUK tests, they also have to have settled status in the UK! 

 

Which is what they have applied for, but like many others have had their applications cocked up by incompetent, poorly trained, temporary Home Office staff!

 

 

Agree this is not because of Brexit, but because of the staff you mention.

[stevenl]

5 hours ago, nontabury said:

 

 

Agree this is not because of Brexit, but because of the staff you mention.

Ah, and those 2 are unrelated.

[zorrow424]

11 hours ago, Thongkorn said:

Nobody ask them to leave their choice and the British People who still live in the UK  have had their vote, To leave with all that it entails,

And come to think of it not many Brits in Europe live 6/7/8/10 to a house  and claim for children back in the UK as many Eastern Europeans do, who have never paid any tax over the years.you say they are  Senor Citysens,  They pay there way in ever which European country they live , Dont think any Country will kick out paying Customers.

True,nobody knows the full extent of foreigners living in the UK no matter what their status,but thats changing.

 The east coast (Lincs) etc of UK full of east coast Africans ,given Dutch passports,no do not want Holland..Indians of Portuguese descent,queuing by the tens of thousands outside govt.buildings in Panjim Goa,for Portuguese passports,again heading straight for UK once obtained,whatever/wherever   Link? look it up

  Earlier did put up Slovak woman  complete with 8 kids arrived in UK first in line for social housing...  Link?  look it up

  ID cards will be introduced after Brexit ..Link?  look it up, will be a winner,plus tightening Universal Credit  plus plus Universal Pension,those foreigners sat on their backsides doing absolutely nothing towards their UK state pensions,confined to GB 'cept for 4 weeks away  Link?  look it up.

 There are over 3 million in the UK ,foreigners that is, who will be pitchforked out of UK starting in 2 months time,now the luvvies are not going to be liking this

 

[LazySlipper]

On 8/31/2019 at 8:04 AM, Somtamnication said:

They can go home if they are unhappy. It is time for Britain to be returned to the British. I suppose someone will see that statement has totally wrong!

Dunno if you are joking cos you sound like a Thai immigration officer. If you are serious, regarding cases like the one presented here, you really need to look at what is being done to us here to help you broaden your horizons....

[zorrow424]

Undoubtedly the Irish are going to be in the firing line,those obtaining irish passports at beginning of Brexit,thinking a way to stay in EU will be regretting it, if residing in UK.

  Reading of irish access to UK few months back assumed irish nationals would be allowed automatic transit through UK if onward journey/or health reason, not so visa required...better getting that tunnel built to St Malo

 

 At last, to be able to get rid of the irish travellers that blight most parts of England,truly a blessing

[nahkit]

17 hours ago, Blue Muton said:

Wow, reading not a strong point of yours, or perhaps its comprehension that's your problem.

Neither of them has applied to stay as the spouse of a British citizen (which they are both entitled to do), they are both applying for settled status as EU citizens.

 

Seems you're the one with the reading problem, not me.

[nahkit]

17 hours ago, 7by7 said:

The woman in the OP had the relevant permission to remain in the UK because she is a EU national; just as Brits in other EU countries had the same there.

The woman in the op arrived in the UK with her family 55 years ago, that was 8 years before the UK joined the EU.

 

How's your reading comprehension?

Edited September 2, 2019 by nahkit

[Blue Muton]

1 hour ago, nahkit said:

Neither of them has applied to stay as the spouse of a British citizen (which they are both entitled to do), they are both applying for settled status as EU citizens.

 

That's the point of the article. They have applied to stay as EU citizens and have wrongly been denied. They should not be forced to apply for British citizenship. You ridiculously claimed that obtaining citizenship as a spouse of a British citizen is easy. It is not easy and it is very expensive.