SDLP Councillor Mary Durkan
Said Cllr Durkan said: “At present the British Home Office essentially deems anyone born in Northern Ireland British, and therefore unable to access rights enjoyed by EU citizens, regardless of their asserted Irish citizenship.
“This policy flies in the face of a fundamental tenet of the Good Friday Agreement. As a result, people in the North of Ireland are being denied their explicit right to identify and be accepted as British or Irish or both.
“The Emma De Souza case is the subject of ongoing Court proceedings, has highlighted the major implementation gaps in British law.
“The wider issue of citizenship and compliance with the letter and spirit of the Good Friday Agreement has yet to be resolved.”
Miss Durkan added: “The current Home Office policy is having a negative effect on so many people, impacting upon family life and interfering with basic rights.
“Married couples are facing barriers and having to make difficult choices with regard to work opportunities and caring responsibilities.
“Children are separated from their parents. These families are living with uncertainty from week to week, unable to make proper plans.
“All citizens deserve to have clarity on any immigration rules change as soon as possible.
“We need to know the full scope of any proposed changes and the out-workings thereof.”
