A project to support at-risk and vulnerable EU citizens living in the Midlands has been launched.
Nottingham based immigration firm, Paragon Law, has launched a joint project with charity Here for Good.
Following the UK’s departure from the EU at the end of January, most EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK will need to make an application under the Home Office’s EU Settlement Scheme to continue living here.
Failure to apply by the deadline, Tuesday, June 30, 2021, would result in those citizens being made unlawfully resident and potentially at risk of deportation.
This new partnership aims to mitigate this risk by providing free, comprehensive legal advice to those most at risk. Victims of domestic abuse, homeless citizens and those with serious mental and physical disabilities are amongst the groups needing support through the process.
Since its launch in 2018, Here for Good has provided immigration support to thousands of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens across the UK, as well as their family members.
The charity’s partners range from major institutions such as the European Commission and UN Migration Agency, to charities working with vulnerable communities like St Mungo’s and Settled.
Paragon Law - Here for Good service, launched at the start of February.
The service includes a phone advice line, an email enquiries service and complex 1-2-1 case support. Outreach events will also be held across the region.
Thalej Vasishta, CEO at Paragon Law, said: "Here for Good has worked since its inception to promote the rights of EU citizens, ensuring that EU citizens are aware of the fact that they are able to stay in the UK and through outreach work making as many people as possible aware of the application process under the EU Settlement Scheme.
"We are therefore delighted to be partnering with Here for Good to ensure that through our joint know-how and legal expertise that we reach as many as many EU nationals as possible and represent them through the Settled Status process. In order to promote this free legal service Paragon Law will be working with other partners, which we will announce shortly, across the East Midlands."
Paragon Law has been serving the Nottingham and Midlands community for two decades.
Here for Good’s co-founder, Tahmid Chowdhury, added: "With the EU Settlement Scheme deadline fast approaching, we need to ensure that we can provide a comprehensive service that supports as many citizens as possible. Paragon Law is a firm that shares our values and commitment, making them the perfect partner to increase the services we can offer in the Midlands.
"We’re proud to be working alongside them to ensure that all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, and their families, can stay Here for Good."
