Joao Rocha Goncalves Da Silva, a 45-year-old man from Portugal, is facing potential deportation from the United Kingdom after almost two decades of living in the country. The reason for his potential deportation is related to issues filing an application for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
According to the Guardian, Da Silva’s case highlights the UK’s hostile environment policy towards EU citizens. His lawyer has expressed concern that the UK’s treatment of Da Silva may reflect a broader issue faced by EU citizens in the country.
Da Silva has worked as a plumber in the UK since 2001 and considers the country his home. His employer, Domenic Tomeo, regards him as family and is deeply troubled by the prospect of his deportation.
Da Silva attempted to apply for EUSS through the Home Office app but encountered issues with scanning his Portuguese ID card. Despite his efforts to resolve the issue, including applying for a new ID card and seeking help from a community organization, his application was rejected just over two weeks after submission.
Unfortunately, Da Silva’s speech impediment made it difficult for him to communicate with the Home Office, and his explanation for the delayed application was not considered a reasonable ground for the rejection. This has left him facing potential fines, detention, imprisonment, or even being banned from the UK, with no opportunity to appeal.
Naga Kandiah, Da Silva’s lawyer, has initiated a legal challenge against the rejection, citing that it does not align with the EU withdrawal agreement. She is calling on the Home Office to reconsider and allow a right of appeal for specific cases like this one.
The Home Office’s recent tightening of criteria for what qualifies as reasonable grounds in late applications has resulted in a significant increase in the number of rejected applications from EU citizens. In August and September, the number of invalid applications soared, highlighting the challenges faced by EU citizens navigating the settlement process in the UK.
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