Today the Commons will debate regulations that will essentially tip those who have not yet acquired their EUSS status into the Hostile Environment from 1 July 21. Some thoughts: /1

The regs. are legion. Covering nearly every aspect of the Hostile Environment. These regs have been made using Henry VIII powers. They perfectly illustrate the problem with this power. A single debate on all clauses with no opportunity to amend is not good democracy. /2
The consequences are equally legion. Those who fail to get status will face problems with work, housing, benefits and risk of removal/criminalisation. Yes people with reasonable excuses can apply late to EUSS, but by then the damage may well be done. /3
What of those who apply late? Their status of not being able to work, rent etc. Continues until a decision is made. Increased waiting times and additional hurdles will undoubtedly lead to people delayed in this misery for some time. /4
Doesn’t seem right does it? The Withdrawal Agreement says that those with pending applications have rights until a decision is made (18(3)) so yes it is problematic in ways beyond what is right and just. /5
There is an oddity though. The department for health laid regs that do give protections to those with pending applications https://t.co/3qoPRaMjZ4 why? /6
Those who will miss the deadline will be the most vulnerable. We find ourselves in a familiar territory of the most at risk being further marginalised and losing so much. /7
What is the plan to prevent this? The Gov. say those with reasonable excuses can apply late and are doing awareness campaigns. This isn’t enough. Root to branch review and reform of the Hostile Environment is long overdue and the Immigration Bill was a missed opportunity /8
But I (and I’m sure others) recognise that is sadly a long term ambition. In the interim, why not put positive duties on decision makers to refer people for help to get status? Give them rights in the interim? Establish support and compensation for those impacted and more? /9
Covid has compounded the problems for those who miss the EUSS deadline. And the noise around ‘deal/no deal’ fails to educate the public at large what rights people impacted by Brexit have in the U.K. we’re already seeing people denied work etc. Because of bad decision making. /10
Finally, these regs are essentially the final nail to end freedom of movement. The immigration Bill ripped those rights up these regs create the Hostile Environment framework for EU citizens to navigate. It’s hard not to be very worried. /END

More from For later read

Humans inherently like the act of solidarity. We are social beings. We like to huddle up and be together.
They used this against us.
They convinced us that it was an act of solidarity to flatten the curve, to wear a mask for others, to take the vaccines for others,


and to reach #covidzero for others. They convinced us that this was for the greater good of society.
In reality, this couldn't be further away from the truth. They have divided us and broken the core structure of our society. They have dehumanized us with their masks.

They set us against each other into clans on opposite sides of a spectrum. They have turned us into aggressive beings fighting for our survival. Some of us fear harm from the virus, others fear harm from the vaccine, and yet others fear harm from the attack on our civilization.

We are all on a flight or fight mode. We are all operating under the influence of fear. We must collect ourselves and reflect on what has happened over the last year.
How is this for the greater good of society?

They used a tactical warfare strategy against us.
'Divide and conquer'.
We fell for it.
Now we must become aware of it and fight back.
We must reunite. We must find true solidarity to save our world. To free ourselves. To regain our autonomy.

You May Also Like