In 2016, EU migrants were told 'nothing will change'. Everything is set to change, forever.
Since 2017, I have been campaigning for citizens' rights with @the3million.
I met 100s of EU migrants over these years, and today I think about every single one of them & their worries.
Since 2017, I have been campaigning for citizens' rights with @the3million.
I met 100s of EU migrants over these years, and today I think about every single one of them & their worries.
Today I'm thinking about the Romanian student who thought she doesn't have to apply for settled status because she's a student and because 'Brexit may not happen'. I'm also thinking about her student debt, the huge rent she pays & her future working in the UK after her studies.
Today I'm thinking about the French woman who lived in the UK for over 30 years who thought she doesn't have to apply for settled status because she's been here for so long. I'm thinking about the future of her grandchildren who were too young to vote.
Today I'm thinking about the German man who was married to a British woman and thought he doesn't have to apply for settled status because 'I'm married to a Brit'. I'm thinking about their children who only speak English and only knew the UK as their home.
Today I'm thinking about the Latvian hospitality worker who didn't know the settled status scheme existed and that 'they wouldn't kick us out, they need workers'. I'm thinking about the poor work conditions, poor pay and how this would impact her young children.
Today I'm thinking about the Lithuanian doctor who applied for permanent residency. Showing me the blue card, he said 'I already have settled status', and was shocked to hear this won't be valid after Brexit. I'm thinking about his colleagues in the overstretched NHS practice.
Today I'm also thinking about all the non-EU migrants I had the privilege to speak to. Windursh stories, stories of Home Office refusals and appeals, their struggle to reunite with their families. I'm thinking how all this would impact them in the future too.
Over the years, I listened to hundreds of stories. Listening to migrants, rather than just speaking about them. There is a lot of work to be done to inform and make sure everyone is safe whatever happens in the future. #SolidarityWithAllMigrants
All migrant organisations need to increase their efforts in the next years to come. We have a lot of work to do at @the3million. Please consider chipping in our Christmas appeal. This will be used for our legal team.
crowdjustice.com/case/eu-citize…
crowdjustice.com/case/eu-citize…
