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Windrush generation members to be refused UK citizenship, government announces
Members of the Windrush generation will be refused British citizenship, the government has announced.
In a statement issued late on Friday afternoon, the Home Secretary said a number of Caribbean nationals who came to Britain between 1948 and 1971 would not qualify for citizenship because they failed to meet the “necessary good character requirement” due to committing criminal offences.
Windrush citizens are supposed to be afforded the same rights as British citizens, so the announcement is likely to prompt renewed accusations that they are effectively awarded second-class status.
The Home Office said those in the UK not granted citizenship would still have the right to remain, provided they could obtain the relevant evidence of their residency.
Diane Abbott, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, said it was "scandalous that the Home Office should subject the Windrush generation to conditions that other British citizens are not”.
Mr Javid said refusals would also be issued to those who had applied for documentation from abroad but been found to be ineligible as they were not able to provide sufficient evidence that they were settled in the UK before 1 January 1973.
He said refusal decisions were only taken after “substantial assurance” had taken place and said individuals could request a free review of the decision if they disagree.
But legal experts told The Independent the absence of independent legal advice and a proper appeal route to those refused made it "impossible to know whether these decisions were fair or not".
Chai Patel, legal policy director at the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), added: "You can’t have any faith that these rejections are valid unless those people have a chance to get independent legal advice and appeals – and neither of those things are in place.”
He said there was "a lot that needs clarifying" around the Windrush taskforce, notably with regards to the numbers of people being granted indefinite leave to remain, and what would happen to those who were not.
In a statement issued late on Friday afternoon, the Home Secretary said a number of Caribbean nationals who came to Britain between 1948 and 1971 would not qualify for citizenship because they failed to meet the “necessary good character requirement” due to committing criminal offences.
Windrush citizens are supposed to be afforded the same rights as British citizens, so the announcement is likely to prompt renewed accusations that they are effectively awarded second-class status.
The Home Office said those in the UK not granted citizenship would still have the right to remain, provided they could obtain the relevant evidence of their residency.
Diane Abbott, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, said it was "scandalous that the Home Office should subject the Windrush generation to conditions that other British citizens are not”.
Mr Javid said refusals would also be issued to those who had applied for documentation from abroad but been found to be ineligible as they were not able to provide sufficient evidence that they were settled in the UK before 1 January 1973.
He said refusal decisions were only taken after “substantial assurance” had taken place and said individuals could request a free review of the decision if they disagree.
But legal experts told The Independent the absence of independent legal advice and a proper appeal route to those refused made it "impossible to know whether these decisions were fair or not".
Chai Patel, legal policy director at the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), added: "You can’t have any faith that these rejections are valid unless those people have a chance to get independent legal advice and appeals – and neither of those things are in place.”
He said there was "a lot that needs clarifying" around the Windrush taskforce, notably with regards to the numbers of people being granted indefinite leave to remain, and what would happen to those who were not.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/windrush-citizens-latest-citizenship-refused-home-office-sajid-javid-a8549101.html
Sigh.
