Hannah Wilkins

This briefing provides an overview of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). The scheme has been introduced to allow EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, and their close family members, to apply to remain in the UK following its departure from the European Union.

EU citizens who want to live in the UK after Brexit will need to apply for a new immigration status through the EU Settlement Scheme

This Commons Library briefing paper provides an overview of the Home Secretary's powers to deport foreign criminals from the UK, related Government policy and Parliamentary and external scrutiny of the efficiency of current procedures.

The Dublin III Regulation allows the UK to return migrants to other EU countries in certain circumstances. How does it work? And how might it be affected by Brexit?

The UK and EU agreed a revised Political Declaration on the framework for the future UK-EU relationship on 17 October. This Briefing provides an outline of the contents of the Declaration and the key changes in the revised text

Boris Johnson's Government have negotiated a new 'deal' with the European Union. It is formed of a Political Declaration and a Withdrawal Agreement. This paper focuses on the Withdrawal Agreement and how it compares to the one negotiated by Theresa May's Government in November 2018. The main differences are in the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland or the 'backstop' as it is commonly known. It contains very different arrangements, the UK will no longer be in a single customs territory or union with the EU. The UK will no longer be legally bound to continue with level playing field commitments at the end of the transition period. Northern Ireland will still be in the UK's customs territory and VAT area, however, the region will align with the EU's rules in these areas. Northern Ireland will remain mostly aligned to the EU's regulations for goods. Four years after the end of the transition period Northern Ireland's democratic institutions will vote on whether they wish to continue the arrangements in the Protocol.

The definition of 'EEA citizen' in the rules for the Home Office's settled status scheme has recently changed. What are the consequences? How do these changes affect the people of Northern Ireland? Why are some people unhappy with these changes? What does British nationality law say about people born in Northern Ireland? How do these nationality laws interact with the birthright provision of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement? What does the European Convention on Human Rights say about identity and immigration? What do the people of Northern Ireland say when they are asked about their nationality? This paper looks at the complex issues behind all these questions.

After the UK leaves the EU the Government plans to implement a new, unified immigration system, which will apply to all people who come to the UK. According to the Government they intend to implement the future immigration system from 1 January 2021. This briefing sets out the current proposals for the future immigration system, although many of the details remain unknown.

Under the Common Travel Area (“the CTA”) Irish nationals have a special status in UK law. This Insight examines the potential impact of Brexit on that special immigration status.

The Common Travel Area is a special travel zone between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. It dates back to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. This briefing focuses on how the CTA operates between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Foreign National Offenders Bill 2019-20 was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 14 October 2019. No date is yet available for second reading.

This briefing explores the process for adults to become British citizens by naturalisation under the British Nationality Act 1981. The briefing considers the current requirements for naturalisation and provides some historical context. It addresses the requirements for naturalisation including the good character requirement and the requirement to show knowledge of language and life in the UK. It also address naturalisation fees over the past decade.

The Home Office has published new plans for EU immigration to the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit. In this Insight we explain the key points of this new plan.