Is this what our country has become? asks George Smid, an EMUK activist.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that EU citizens are being detained and mistreated at the UK border. Ana, an Italian citizen, was handcuffed at Luton airport and denied her medicine. Marta, also from Italy, was detained and deported without cause. EU citizens travelling to the UK for job interviews – perfectly legal under the rules – are being deprived of their liberty.
And last week UK citizens including myself, were sent a letter telling us: “You need to apply for an immigration status to carry on being eligible for benefits, access free healthcare and to have the right to work in the UK after June 2021.” Just because we were born in an EU country. I told the Guardian:
“I arrived to the UK 40 years ago. I am a British passport holder for over 30 years. I don’t understand why I am, together with other British nationals, singled out as a foreigner and our right to reside here are suddenly questioned.”
There is something seriously wrong here. Please sign our urgent petition to defend citizens’ rights today.
More and more people are getting dragged into the government’s hostile environment policy – a policy designed to make life impossible for undocumented migrants.
We must speak out before this situation gets even worse. With less than 50 days until the application deadline for settled status, there is a danger that thousands of EU citizens could face similar abuses.
We must not be silent. Please take two minutes to sign and share the movement’s petition to show that we will not stand by while the rights of EU citizens are undermined.
Featured image via Jon Worth Euroblog
The European Movement in Scotland is committed to promoting the essential European value of free speech. Consequently, we regularly publish articles by leading academics, journalists and others discussing issues germane to Scotland’s place in Europe. Such articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Movement in Scotland.
