The UK Home Office has initiated a process to revoke residency rights for at least 100 EU citizens, citing administrative errors in the initial granting of their status. These individuals, who have been living in the UK under the post-Brexit “pre-settled status” scheme, are now facing the loss of their legal residency just as they approach the five-year milestone required to apply for permanent “settled status.”

The situation has raised significant concerns regarding the UK’s adherence to the withdrawal agreement established with the European Union. Affected individuals, including professionals working in the National Health Service (NHS) and academic researchers, report that the sudden notification has caused severe personal and professional disruption. While the Home Office maintains that these grants were issued incorrectly, critics argue that the government’s handling of these cases undermines the security of EU citizens who have built lives in the UK under the assumption that their status was finalized.

There is currently a disagreement regarding the scale and justification of these revocations. The Home Office characterizes the move as a correction of internal administrative mistakes. Conversely, those affected and their advocates view the letters as a breach of trust and a potential violation of the broader post-Brexit residency framework. The government has not yet provided a comprehensive plan for how these individuals might appeal the decision or rectify their status without facing deportation or loss of employment rights.