New visa to allow UK nationals bring non-EEA family to Ireland

'A Department of Justice statement said UK citizens would continue to enjoy existing arrangements under the Common Travel Area including the freedom to live and work in the State after the transition period following the UK’s exit from the EU ends later this month.' Erin go bragh. Hopefully an option for some impacted by the horrible UK spousal and ADR visa rules.

Digging into this there is an MIR of about 20k euros attached to this, plus a waiting time of up to 6 months, so it's not as good as the Irish Times article makes it sound. However it may be particularly useful for those seeking to sponsor elderly dependent relatives (for example) which is subject to a 'ban masquerading as a rule' in the UK, albeit attached to a minimum income requirement with restrictive conditions.

UK does humanity proud

UK has done humanity proud tonight.  Displays of immense heart and courage have taken place across several cities with people of all ages and backgrounds standing up against a tyrannical policy in another country that threatens to undermine our own values.  

It is a demonstration of solidarity against discriminatory and vile treatment by a government professing to be leaders of the free world (likely a self-appointed title, carrying responsibilities nevertheless).   It is also an essential action, and likely typical of more to come, what with Brexit driving UK to appear as USA's 51st state....literally, 100%, if some politicians can have their wicked way.  

Theresa May has consistently defied pleas from British citizens to be allowed to live with their family - family who would have no recourse to public funds anyway. Instead, she has instructed British citizens to maintain family ties over Skype, or better yet, leave the country altogether.  All in the aid of a misguided net migration target, forcing children into a single parent upbringing and elderly into a life of loneliness and isolation.  For four and a half years, families have suffered at the hands of this woman.  Rather than be content with damaging the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, she now wants to ignore the will of millions who who do not want to afford Trump a state visit.  She is complicit in her silence, guilty of turning a blind eye and a traitor in ignoring the very people she is paid to, and has taken an oath to, represent.

We will share some photos over the next few weeks.  These have been selected from social media because they give an insight into the spirit behind the people who came together today, because they are clever and funny, because they say what so many are thinking and because the sharing settings are 'global'. Apologies for not being able to credit the poster makers and the photographers.

It has been a very hard four and a half years bringing the plight of Brits with foreign family, victims of Theresa May's divisive policies to the foreground.  With more now engaged and directly affected by decisions taken by Downing Street, faith is once again restored that maybe, maybe, families won't have to be divided for much longer after all.

BritCits newsletter 10th August

BC's latest newsletter: covering legal challenge of ADR rules and meetups to come in London and Edinburgh.

Previous versions are available by clicking on 'Past Issues' on the top left hand side at the link above.

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