Can immigrants lose their citizenship? – Guest Post

Can immigrants lose their UK citizenship?

The new Immigration Act 2014, which came into force on Tuesday 15 July 2014, includes some significant changes to the immigration rules. The following is a brief summary of some of the points that people should be aware of if they are considering applying for naturalization as British citizens or wish to claim British citizenship through registration or otherwise.

Two new tiers of citizenship?

Whilst many would say that there have always been two tiers since full and partial UK citizenship was first introduced in 1983 (as opposed to just “British citizenship” prior to 1983), these categories have now risen further with the introduction of the new ‘naturalization’ process. To become naturalized as a citizen you will need to pass both an English test (if you’re not from an English-speaking country) and meet strict financial requirements (i.e., you will need to have £18,600 in savings). This is in addition to the other requirements that have always been needed such as having lived in the UK for a certain period of time and being of good character.

What about those who don’t want to become naturalized?

People who do not want to become naturalized can still apply for British citizenship through ‘registration’. The main difference between naturalization and registration is that you are not required to pass an English test or meet any financial requirements if you register. However, there are other strict requirements that must be met such as having lived in the UK for a certain period of time.

When can UK citizenship be revoked??

Citizenship can be revoked in a number of circumstances, including where the Home Secretary is satisfied that the person is not of good character or has obtained citizenship by deception. There are also a number of other grounds on which citizenship can be revoked, such as where the person has been convicted of certain offences.

The new Immigration Act 2014 creates a number of pathways to British citizenship and it is important for people to understand the implications of each route before making any decisions about applying for naturalization or registration. If you would like more information about the new immigration rules, please contact one of our immigration solicitors who will be happy to advise you.

What counts as conducive to public good?

One of the Home Secretary’s powers when it comes to revoking citizenship is that she may do so if she is “satisfied that the conduct of the person is not conducive to the public good”. This phrase has been criticized by some as being vague and open to abuse. In a recent case, the Home Secretary used this power to revoke the citizenship of an individual who had travelled to Syria to fight against the government. She was satisfied that the individual’s actions were not conducive to the public good as they could have posed a threat to national security.

It will be interesting to see how this power is exercised in practice and how it is interpreted by the courts. For now, it remains a very wide power which can be used by the Home Secretary to revoke the citizenship of anyone she seems to be a threat to national security or the public good.

If you would like more information about the new immigration rules, please contact one of our immigration solicitors Manchester who will be happy to advise you.

Remember that as an immigrant in the UK, you always have the right to ask for help and advice from professionals in order to make sure that your stay here is as comfortable as possible. At FindLaw UK, we have a team of experienced immigration lawyers who can answer any questions that you may have and provide guidance on the best way to proceed with your case. Contact us today for more information.

Can a British citizen be deported??

Yes, but only if they are not a citizen of any other country. If you are born in the UK, you acquire British citizenship automatically at birth. If you are not a citizen of another country then this means that you cannot be deported from the UK.

However, there are some circumstances where even though you hold British citizenship, it may be possible for your deportation to become possible. For example, if you have been convicted of an offence which carries a prison sentence of more than one year the Home Secretary has the power to deport you after serving your sentence. This is also true for asylum seekers who have had their applications refused but cannot return to their own countries because they would face persecution there.

It will always be possible for someone to apply for a deportation order to be revoked, but this process can be difficult and it is important to seek legal assistance if you think that you may be at risk of deportation.

If you would like more information about the new immigration rules, please contact one of our immigration lawyers who will be happy to advise you.

Remember that as an immigrant in the UK, you always have the right to ask for help and advice from professionals in order to make sure that your stay here is as comfortable as possible. At FindLaw UK, we have a team of experienced immigration lawyers who can answer any questions that you may have and provide guidance on the best way to proceed with your case. Contact us today for more information.

Can you lose your British citizenship if you move to another country?

Yes, it is possible to lose your British citizenship if you move to another country. However, this will only happen if you voluntarily give up your British citizenship or if it is revoked by the Home Secretary for reasons such as being convicted of a criminal offence.

It is also possible for British citizens to naturalize as citizens of other countries. This means that you would then be considered a citizen of that country and would no longer be considered a British citizen. If you are considering naturalizing in another country, it is important to seek legal advice to make sure that you are aware of the consequences of doing so.

Can people born in the UK lose their British citizenship?

Yes, it is possible to lose your British citizenship if you move to another country. However, this will only happen if you voluntarily give up your British citizenship or if it is revoked by the Home Secretary for reasons such as being convicted of a criminal offence.

It is also possible for British citizens to naturalize as citizens of other countries. This means that you would then be considered a citizen of that country and would no longer be considered a British citizen. If you are considering naturalizing in another country, it is important to seek legal advice to make sure that you are aware of the consequences of doing so.