NLJ this week: Immigration rules create deportation risk for evictees and homeless

The Home Office introduced the EU Settled Status (EUSS) scheme to allow EU nationals and their family members to apply for leave to remain in the UK, and in December 2020 introduced changes to the immigration rules regarding rough sleeping.

Writing in NLJ this week, Sioned Wyn Roberts, associate solicitor, Hodge, Jones & Allen, and Agata Patyna, barrister, Doughty Street raise several concerns about the rules, including that the definition of ‘rough sleeping’ is unclear. They highlight that non-EU nationals could find their leave cancelled if they find themselves in a position of rough sleeping.

With evictions set to rise once the pandemic restrictions, Wyn Roberts and Patyna raise concerns that those who end up sleeping rough will not want to seek support from local authorities for fear of deportation.