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3 clusters · 14 sources · 37 days · First seen · Last updated

British residency dispute in Sweden

Overview

British citizen Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old retired nurse, is facing deportation from Sweden after living there for over two decades. Swedish authorities rejected her post-Brexit residency application, citing a missed deadline and a failure to demonstrate reasonable grounds for the delay. Thomas noted the delay occurred while she was caring for her terminally ill husband.

Following the rejection of her application under both Brexit-related and national immigration laws, Thomas is appealing the decision in a higher court with pro bono legal assistance. While an administrative court in Luleå initially upheld the decision, Thomas has been granted a temporary reprieve to allow her lawyers to file a request for a review.

Her case has drawn attention from campaigners and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, serving as a focal point for discussions regarding the impact of strict residency regulations on British citizens in Sweden. Migrationsverket, the Swedish migration agency, stated that ignorance of the requirement to apply before the December 31, 2021, deadline was not sufficient justification for an exception.

Thomas is not an isolated case; Swedish authorities have confirmed the deportation or forced removal of 458 British citizens since Brexit. The Swedish migration minister has indicated the government will examine whether measures can be taken to ease the process for those affected by the consequences of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement.

Entities

Joyce Thomas · United Kingdom · Sweden · Migrationsverket · Swedish Migration Agency

Timeline

  1. 18 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Sweden faces scrutiny over deportation of long-term British residents

    A 78-year-old British widow facing deportation from Sweden after 22 years of residency due to a missed post-Brexit residence application. Sweden has deported 458 British citizens under similar circumstances.

  2. about 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 9 sources
    Swedish authorities order deportation of British widow after 21 years

    A 78-year-old British widow living in Sweden for 21 years is fighting deportation after her post-Brexit residency application was rejected for being submitted too late.

  3. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    78‑Year‑Old Joyce Thomas Forced to Leave Sweden After 22 Years Due to Brexit

    Joyce Thomas, 78, forced to leave Sweden after 22 years due to a missed Brexit‑related residency deadline, raising debate on law versus personal hardship.

Sources

bs-media.de · dagensarena.se · dagensps.se · europesays.com · guardian.co.uk · ibtimes.co.uk · independent.co.uk · jurnalul.ro · lifo.gr · myjoyonline.com · nwt.se · thelocal.se · Tportal.hr · uk.news.yahoo.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history