Brexit: Britain could deport EU citizens who have not been granted settled status

EU citizens who do not apply for settled status to remain in the UK after Brexit could face being deported, a government minister has confirmed.

Those who haven't applied by the deadline without a good reason, could find themselves facing immigration enforcement rules, Home Office minister Brandon Lewis told German newspaper Die Welt .

But statistics published yesterday suggested that just 1 in 6 EU citizens in the UK have applied for the scheme.

The deadline for European citizens to apply for settled status is 30 June 2021, or 31 December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Speaking to Die Welt Mr Lewis said that EU citizens who have not registered by that date without a good reason will be subject to normal immigration rules - meaning they could be detained and ultimately deported.

But Mr Lewis stressed that people had time to apply and the government didn't want to see any EU citizen who wanted to remain end up in the postion.

EU residents have until at least December 2020 to apply for settled status (AFP via Getty Images)

He added that the rights of EU citizens would not be immediately affected by a no-deal exit.

EU citizens resident in the UK, and their family members, are eligible for settled status if  before December 2020 they have been living in the UK continuously for five years.

People resident for less time will be granted pre-settled status until they hit the five year residency requirement.

When applying for the scheme, EU citizens will be required to declare convictions that appear in their criminal record in the UK or overseas - in addition to proving their ID and residency.

Priti Patel welcomed the applications from over 2 million EU activists (PA)

Yesterday, the Home Office revealed that over 2 million people had applied for settled status.

The scheme asks applicants to prove their identity, demonstrate they live in the UK, and declare any criminal convictions.

Home Secretary Priti Patel welcomed the numbers of applications.

She said: “EU citizens have made a huge contribution to this country and will play a key role in cementing Britain’s status as an outward-looking, global leader after Brexit.

“That is why I am thrilled that we have had 2 million applications to the EU settlement scheme so that EU citizens can secure their immigration status under UK law.”