EU Citizens: Preparing for Brexit!

9th April 2019 by ficheb

As Brexit looms, the uncertainty about the rights of EU citizens in the UK looms even larger. This uncertainty is fuelling a crippling anxiety amongst EU citizens desperate for clarity and guidance to enable them prepare for life after Brexit. Such clarity and guidance was scarce at the event organised by Leeds City Council ‘Response to Brexit’ where authorities lamented by saying “we know as much as you do”.

The consequence of this uncertainty as a result of Brexit political impasse is manifested by the chaos and vulnerability of those whose life choices, livelihoods and futures are held captive by BREXIT. Migrant Action is witness to these manifestations through providing advice, guidance, advocacy and a range of other direct assistances to migrants in vulnerable circumstances including EU migrants. Migrant Action continues to work collaboratively with other agencies to facilitate access to the settlement scheme for EU citizens and other support packages.

Amidst the uncertainty about the eventualities of BREXIT, EU citizens are being urged to regularise the immigration status in the UK by applying under the new Home Office EU Settlement Scheme. The Scheme was opened initially since the beginning of March and will remain open until 30 June 2021. This guidance may change depending on the eventual outcome of the BREXIT Process. For more information about the scheme and application process see link below

Citizen Advice Immigration Information –https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/

If you encounter any problems or need to speak to Citizens Advice Bureau, see link below

Citizen Advice Leeds Contact Information https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/leeds/contact-us/?serialnumber=100673

If you guidance and support from Migrant Action, please contact us on email info@migrantaction.org.ukor visit our website www.migrantaction.org

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Who we are

Migrant Action is an Advocacy and Rights based organisation providing information, guidance, advocacy support and direct practical assistance to vulnerable migrants. We work to ensure equity of rights and justice for vulnerable migrants. Migrant Action’s work is focused on migrants who do not fit into the ‘neat’ categories of migration including those who have fallen through the cracks of the immigration system. We do not work with asylum seekers and refugees but signpost them to the appropriate agencies.

Service provision for non-asylum seekers is undefined and limited. In Leeds, migrants seeking information, guidance, advice, advocacy and integration support struggle to find where to go to for help. Many vulnerable migrants are confined to the ‘edges’ of society and face daily, the real risk of exploitation, destitution, child poverty, detention, forced removal and deportations without access to justice. Vulnerable migrants with entrenched complex needs encounter restricted access to service provision which has far reaching implications for their health and well being. Migrant Action is set up in response to this gap in service provision working with other vulnerable migrants who are not asylum seekers.

By delivering early and proactive interventions, we aim to reduce vulnerability across categories of migrants and navigate positive pathways to integration. Through the support we offer, we combat and help to reduce the effects of the government’s increasingly ‘hostile environment’ policies on the people subject to these policies. Working in partnership with other agencies, we ensure positive choices and pathways for migrants, better access to justice, reduce vulnerability and exploitation, increase integration and contribute to wider system and social change.

Overall, Migrant Action is working to help create an environment whereby migrants feel welcome, equal and able to thrive.

How do we do this?

We adopt an early intervention, prevention and proactive in our work with migrants.

Provide a welcoming and safe space
Provide information and guidance to help migrants make informed choices
Help migrants to navigate and access good legal/immigration services
Provide advocacy support and facilitate access to mainstream services
Support integration- help migrants navigate community and social networks, training, volunteering, employment and other pathways for social integration
Activism- Working with other agencies to advocate and influence policy and social change

Who do we work with

Vulnerable migrants (victims of trafficking & modern slavery, People on temporary visas, unaccompanied minors, visa over stayers, undocumented/irregular migrants, people with insecure immigration status and anyone who is unsure of their immigration status
New migrants ( EU and Non-EU migrants)

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