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1/ Yesterday, we met @carolinenokes the immigration minister, and senior civil servants of the Home Office in the House of Commons. 
2/ During a frank exchange, the minister confirmed that the Home Office would not test EU citizens retrospectively for having exercised treaty rights when they apply for settled status.
3/ She committed to making details available about the scheme by replying in writing to all 128 questions the3million published by us last week the3million.org.uk/128questions
4/ she remained firm on the hostile environment by refusing to guarantee that undocumented EU citizens will not be treated like the #WindrushGeneration, particularly after the end of the grace period.
5/ some positives:
She made a big point about the Settled Status application being a simple procedure based on residency, ’This is not about exercising treaty rights’, but...
She made a big point about the Settled Status application being a simple procedure based on residency, ’This is not about exercising treaty rights’, but...
6/... she did not mention that an application for settled status is not just based on residency but also includes criminality, security and absence checks.
7/ Many will feel reassured that the criteria that failed them during the Permanent Residence process will not remain, and the development of an app to apply for settled status will satisfy the majority, but…
8/ concern remains about evidencing continuous residence over five years for those who are not on PAYE scheme or those who are not IT literate or have a low level of English.
9/ We welcomed her shift on the topic of offering local, face-to-face registration including support and advice from caseworkers for those who cannot, or do not want to make digital applications
10/ Her original position was a complete refusal to engage with the topic of local assistance, but she acknowledged the benefit to the 'at-risk EU citizens' and she said she would 'take it home' to reflect on it.
11/ Importantly, she committed to replying to the #128questions in writing (but it could take some time; probably not before June), which is a very positive announcement.
12/ Some not so postives:
She didn't want to be drawn into any comparison between the Windrush generation and EU citizens. Despite the clear parallels.
She didn't want to be drawn into any comparison between the Windrush generation and EU citizens. Despite the clear parallels.
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