Ahead of the second round of Brexit talks this month, concerns have been expressed over the UK’s position on the rights of EU citizens resident in Britain.

In a recent policy statement, British Prime Minister Theresa May said that three million EU citizens living in the UK must reapply for a ‘settled status’ permit to be introduced following Brexit.

Under the proposal, EU nationals in the UK would lose their right to family reunion with their spouses unless they earn a minimum income of £18,600 (€21,000) per annum.

The policy paper also proposes that EU nationals who apply for permanent residency up till the day the UK leaves the union will be required to reapply.

EU nationals’ concerns were recently raised by EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. “The British position does not allow those persons concerned to continue to live their lives as they do today,” he said. “We want EU citizens in Britain to have the same rights as British citizens who live in the EU.”

Metro Éireann welcomes the EU’s position on this matter, as well as Barnier’s call for the European Court of Justice to retain jurisdiction over the movement of EU citizens in the UK post-Brexit.

British authorities must understand that maintaining the current free movement of people after Brexit will not only benefit EU nationals but will also offer abundant benefits to its own citizens. We urge Theresa May to reconsider her stance in the interest of peace and progress.

news@metroeireann.com