CYP Now - Brexit: Thousands of care-experienced children 'at risk of living in UK illegally'

At least 10,000 looked-after children and care leavers are at risk of living in the UK illegally following the Brexit transition period, immigration experts have warned.

Councils must help young people in acquiring immigration status, the charity says. Picture: Adobe Stock

All EU nationals living in the UK need to prove their immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme before the transition period ends on 31 December in order to remain in the country.

After the scheme was launched, it was billed by then Home Secretary Sajid Javid as being "simple and straightforward" to complete.

However, research by the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) shows that 10,000 young people could remain in the UK illegally if they are not provided with support to prove their status.

“If their local authorities don’t step up to support them, then from 2021 the future for these children and young people could include homelessness, immigration detention and removal from the UK,” the charity said.

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