To think no she shouldn’t get a British passport

[Lillonely]

I’m prepared to be told I’m BU here

you might have read my other MIL threads here, feel free to search.

the bare bones are, asian family (Pakistani, myself included) MIL cant speak English, never worked, never made any attempt to. FIL is a Prince and brought her here and in affect ditched her to swan off with second wife (cough mistress cough. Both MIL and FIL left dh from early teens to earn for the house hold and then be the breadwinner at 16. The boy had holes in shoes and an empty tummy and she never attempted to work. Still wants to be provided for, won’t do anything.

but now she wants a British passport, and there are loopholes. I actually think no, you shouldn’t have one, settled status fine but not citizenship. My parents and grandparents were grafters, integrated, and didn’t expect anything for free and took pride in taking the citizen ship exams and studying and passing not just wanting handouts. I mean I wouldn’t expect to go to France, Germany, uae and them to hand me a passport and citizenship and not bother to even learn the language. Aibu to think get it the legit way or don’t bother. She’s got nothing nice to say about Brits or British culture or anything so why would you want a part of it? I feel it’s crap like this that gives British Muslims a bad name.

aibu and am I letting our history (she’s not very nice to me or my family despite us trying to help her) cloud by judgment?

Do you have any say in this matter?

I think your history is clouding your judgement. The immigration rules are what they are. However, if she doesn't speak English and has no interest in Britain, she's not going to pass the citizenship exam is she?

Thankfully they won’t

If you’re over 65 you can get one regardless

She’s been on at me to sort it out for her and I’ve said no

Just make an excuse not to help her.

Simply let someone else do it.

But don't beat yourself up about it.
It sounds a toxic realtuonship which can make yourself ill with the stress.

It will make no difference to you personally if she gets British citizenship.

You may not like her she may be a horrible person but if she is entitled then she is.

Just focus on what makes you happy.

Spend as little time as you can in her company.

Get someone else to complete the forms.

It’s not that she’s entitled now, she will be in a few years and then that’s as may be, but it’s that she wants it now and wants me to ‘get it for her’ aka cheat somehow, whereas I think, get it legit or don’t and don’t ask to demand that I get it for you by cheating

Well you can't break the rules or lie for her on a form.

Simply tell her this.

Tell her to wait.
If she is a religious person remind her that it is a sin to lie.

Importantly distance yourself.

Be unavailable.

The distance will do you good.

Don't be rude or argumentative.

Just not worth the stress.

I’m not entirely sure what she wants, I think she might want me to sit the exam for her? Or to pull some strings Dsis is a solicitor… but obviously both are stupid and I have 0 away over anything. I’ve said no, but obv she thinks I’m being very u

Your dsis as a solicitor would not put her career into jeopardy for this lady.

Nor should you consider sitting an exam illegally.
You both don't want a criminal record.

She sounds a bit deluded to be honest.

Could you not cut ties.

How could you pass for someone older.
Do they not check your ID when you sit these exams?

What's your DH's view on his mother's demands?

Not that it should necessarily influence your own views, but I just wonder why she doesn't hassle him instead?

There is no such thing as a citizenship exam. Reported.

Your judgement is clouded, yes, because frankly she probably has propped up the family by being a housewife. Many people of her generation even if they are not South Asians were housewives.

If she is older than 65, she would not need to take Life in the UK test or the English language test. If she wants you to help her fill in the form, tell her to source another lawyer or legal assistant like everyone else does.

I have no idea, never sat one, I’d imagine it would have to be someone of similar appearance and age, maybe she wants my dm to do it for her. It seems to be common enough. But it’s not like cheating on a maths test, it’s legit fraud with the government. And all I can think truthfully, is you should’ve made some sort of effort over the last 30 years and then you’d have it in your own right and wouldn’t have to bully and emotionally blackmail people into committing crimes for you.

(we have 0 intention of doing it)

Immigration aren't stupid and they've seen it all. Just sit on your arse and she will have to find someone else to lie for her help. She does know if she's caught cheating she's got no hope, right?

However, one of the reasons older people are given citizenship slightly more easily is that having an aging parent in another country where you are unable to care for them is awful. Would your DH be happier with her here? I assume so.

There is the 'Life in the UK test' which must be passed before you make the application for naturalisation. You can see that that's what OP meant.

There is a life in UK test

@SwitchDiver she clearly means the Life in the UK test.

OP, sounds like a difficult relationship. Just stay well out of it, and if she can qualify on her own at some point within the rules, then she qualifies.