Colum Eastwood MP and Claire Hanna MP have signed a joint letter urging the Prime Minister to take immediate action and lift the EU Settlement Scheme deadline to help the tens of thousands of EU citizens at risk of becoming undocumented.

Social Democratic and Labour Party Leader Colum Eastwood MP said:

“Our island has welcomed people from all over the world to live here, to work and to put down roots. Brexit has left thousands of EU nationals in Northern Ireland in limbo and has made people think again about living and working here. According to official figures released today, more than 86,000 people have applied to remain here post-Brexit.

“An estimated 30,000 people cross the border every day for work. The Good Friday Agreement brought about the removal of border infrastructure, and being part of the European Union has allowed people to work across both jurisdictions unimpeded, improving the lives of thousands on our island.

“The Home Office’s outreach and advertising campaign has not reached sufficient numbers of EU citizens amidst a pandemic that has severely disrupted support services. Unless the deadline is lifted, a significant number of EU citizens will be forced out of status and rights overnight.

“Both Claire Hanna and I have signed a joint letter urging Boris Johnson to take immediate action and lift the EU Settlement Scheme deadline to help the tens of thousands of EU citizens who are at risk of becoming undocumented.

“I would urge all EU citizens who have not yet applied for settled status, please do so as soon as possible, and get in touch with us if you need any help or advice.”