Enforced removals and detention of EU citizens on the rise

The UK’s increased detention and deportation of EU citizens from Britain is being examined by the European Commission, which has warned it will take “appropriate action” if necessary.

Enforced removals and detention of EU citizens have risen abruptly in the wake of the Brexit vote.  Records show that 5,301 EU nationals were removed in the year ending June 2017, the highest since records began and a rise of 20 per cent on the previous 12 months.

The EU’s Brexit negotiating team referred a complaint over the detention of EU nationals in Britain to the Commission’s Directorate General for Justice and Consumers.

A spokesman for the Commission confirmed the complaint was “being analysed” and that action would be taken against Britain if it was found to be flouting EU law.

Campaign groups report that citizens were being detained and deported for minor crimes including driving offences.  Many EU nationals had been removed from the UK before being allowed to bring a legal challenge.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/30/brussels-uk-deported-eu-citizens

 

 

 

Image credit: Josh McKible, Flickr CC by 2.0