#EUcitizens were concerned the implementation of #settledstatus would result in de facto limitation of existing rights in the UK during #EULaw application – New guidance on applications for naturalisation as British citizen now seems to confirm these fears. How so? A thread 1/11
It marks the return of the nightmare that is comprehensive sickness insurance (#CSI). 2016 referendum led to an increase in applications for residency documents by #EUcitizens @the3million confirming leave to remain in UK: theconversation.com/why-eu-nationa… 2/11
Not ‘qualified’ EUcitizens (simply not working/studying) expected to hold health insurance despite having lawful & legal access to NHS through residency. Rule not appropriately communicated at any point & result of improper implementation of EUDirect europestreet.news/why-you-need-t… 3/11
Even leading to probe by #EUcommission of UK approach in 2012 ec.europa.eu/commission/pre… but never completed due to referendum result and promises for improvement. 4/11
UK approach to #CSI meant many #EUcitizens effectively without way to guarantee their residency status within UK, some examples at the time: theguardian.com/politics/2017/… and ft.com/content/b1c556… 5/11
Not only did it affect long term residence, but also students who were on UK arrival advised by their institutions to register with GP, but were not made explicitly aware of #CSI criterion. In 2017 reassurances were made: theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/m… 6/11
#settledstatus was introduced as residency testing only, promising to fix inequity of #CSI requirement although cleaner options would have been available to @GOVUK: theconversation.com/four-ways-brit… and 7/11
Application process is straightforward enough for most, hopes were high. As of 15th May, however, UKgov advises that ‘lawful residence’ needs to be reviewed at stage of citizenship application, page 27: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl… 8/11
This shows three things: 1. There is little appetite in current UKGov to uphold promises made by previous governments, serving as evidence of how little has been learned from Windrush scandal. telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/… 9/11
2. #settledstatus is not in fact adequate replacement for permanent residency under EU rules, as it leaves significant room for @ukhomeoffice and government to add additional hidden requirements on pathway to naturalisation: opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/… 10/11
3. No appetite for transparent and functioning immigration policy and law, despite options available covering EUcitizens with residency rights much more effectively: 11/11
@threadreaderapp unroll please.
