Lack of physical proof of our immigration status continues to be one of our most pressing issues.
The solution is simple: a system based on QR codes, similar to the Covid-19 vaccination certificates, making life easier for millions of people. the3million.org.uk/fixing-the-dig…
From 5th April 2022, even more people will be affected, with the digital-only approach being expanded to ALL migrants in the UK.
Baroness Williams, Minister of State for Home Affairs, representing the Home Office, has given positive feedback on the proposal and said she will report on progress. We encourage you to ask her to ensure the government takes action.
Why write now? What has changed since the last campaign?
👉 We now have a solution to offer, which has been tried and tested
👉 We have a deeper understanding of the problems caused by the digital-only system
Does writing to peers work?
Last year many of you supported our campaign and Lords commended the show of action, with many peers mentioning the significant number of people who have raised their voices. 👏
Who are we calling on to write?
EVERYONE can join, regardless of where you're from, whether you've already been affected by the issue, you might be in the future, or if you stand in solidarity.
🗓️ Send your letter before Tuesday 8th March 2022.
✍️Reach out to Baroness Williams and at least one supportive peer.
ℹ️Let us know you have written bit.ly/3IxNFx2
📢 Share the campaign on social media and with friends & family.
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BREAKING: Ministers are postponing the full shift to #eVisas, acknowledging the system is flawed & may have devastating impact, leaving people stranded abroad.
We welcome this decision, but too much remains unclear. We urgently need a public inquiry 🧵👇 theguardian.com/politics/2024/…
Labour inherited a system that is not fit for purpose.
The previous government has used the EU Settlement Scheme as a test-bed for #eVisas. We've been warning for over 6 long years how the most vulnerable people would be affected, pushed into the hands of the hostile environment
Even digitally literate people, anyone is at risk of being affected by glitches. People face multiple flavours of ‘Computer Says No’. Tens of thousands of people have had their online status mixed up with that of someone else, rendering it useless to prove their rights.
We are delighted to update you on two major successes achieved in court, bringing us a step closer to ensuring all EU citizens and family members have access to welfare and housing 🧵
The County Court found EU citizens and family members are eligible for homelessness assistance on the basis of right to equal treatment, in Hynek v Islington.
Mr Hynek, a Slovakian citizen, was granted pre-settled status in 2019. He was working as a software engineer until May 2020, and then struggled to find another job during the Covid pandemic.
📢 BREAKING: The Home Office announce changes affecting 1.9m EU citizens* with EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled status:
🔸Expiry dates of status will not be visible to employers, landlords and other checkers
🔸Pre-settled status extensions are being increased to 5 years
🔸No further checks are required to be done by landlords or employers once someone is in a job or tenancy
This is potentially great news for people with pre-settled status. We've been asking for expiry dates to be removed since the Home Office announced their intensions to extend everyone's status. We were told it couldn't be done. We're glad a solution has been found.
📢 BREAKING: The Home Office announced people's pre-settled status will be extended by 2 years before it expires if they have not obtained settled status.
AND In 2024, they will seek to automatically convert SOME eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status.
This comes off the back of the High Court ruling which found people with pre-settled status must not lose residence rights just because they do not make a second application to the EU Settlement Scheme before the expiry of their pre-settled status. the3million.org.uk/news/2023-02-1…
What these changes do NOT address is the second part of the judgment which clearly states people with pre-settled status should not be denied permanent residence rights after 5 years of lawful residence just because they do not make a second application under the scheme.
It would be unacceptable for people to be asked to repay welfare paid out as a result of the failure of the Home Office to correctly reflect people's immigration status.
In the letter, we ask for transparency from the @DWPgovuk and @ukhomeoffice on the steps the departments are taking to identify people who may have been incorrectly in receipt of welfare (potentially without even knowing). the3million.org.uk/publication/20…
We need the Home Office to take responsibility over this failure of the digital system. Claiming back welfare from potentially vulnerable people during a cost of living crisis risks would be unacceptable.
📢 BREAKING: The Secretary of State will not appeal the judgment which found the Brexit rule that makes EU citizens reapply to stay in the UK is unlawful.
The government must now implement changes, in order to conform with the ruling in the case brought by @IMA_CitRights.
The court ruled people with pre-settled status cannot lose their residence rights just because they don’t make a second application to the EU Settlement Scheme before the expiry of their pre-settled status.
In addition, people with pre-settled status should not be denied permanent residence rights once they reach 5 years’ lawful residence just because they don’t make a second application for settled status.