Are all of us foreigners just going to be told to pack up and leave if Reform win?

[Onegingerhead]

I might be totally unreasonable here (or not), but please hear me out.
(Bloody) foreigner here — I’ve lived in the UK since 2001. Built my whole life here: house, husband, DC, the lot. Worked the whole time in a field that requires the highest level of qualification.
I’m getting increasingly worried about the talk of Reform winning in 2029. Some even say it could be sooner if Labour are pushed into early elections. This week (as we all heard) our beloved Reform suggested rescinding ILR or even settled status from Europeans. God knows what else they’ll come up with, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they went after naturalised Brits next and started revoking citizenship, just to please the voters.
I know a lot of foreign-born women — some married to born-and-bred Brits, some to other Europeans (not always from the same country), some to men from overseas. All sorts of combinations.
So what do you think lies ahead for us? Will we be politely asked to leave, or will things just get so hostile that we’re pushed out anyway? And how likely is it that people who aren’t very white, or who have an accent, will face more discrimination in work?
I’m meeting my foreign friends tonight and we’ll be talking about it. For most of us, moving now would be incredibly difficult. We’re late 30s to early 50s, and starting over in a new country isn’t exactly easy. Some of us are married to men from different countries entirely, and we don’t even speak each other’s languages well enough to get proper jobs there.

AIBU and should think we will actually be allowed to stay?
AINBU sorry but you’d better start planning your move now

Can someone please advise me as I'm so worried and can't find a definitive answer. My Polish husband has lived in the UK for 20 years. He has settled status. He will never earn over 60k per annum. Is NF saying if he comes into power he will revoke his settled status? We have three British born children. I am sick with worry.

I don't consider it an easy decision for everyone but it's hard to get tone across via text. Unless people capitalise things which comes across as shouting.

It's clearly an emotive subject but we should at least discuss it politely.

By default being born in Spain to Spanish parents would make you eligible, regardless of whether you denounced your citizenship for another.

It might cost in the way of an admin fee, but if being Spanish (for example) is granted on whether you were born there/whether your parents were Spanish and you can say yes to both of those statements then you’ll get your citizenship back because it would be a legal challenge if not.

Some countries might now allow duel citizenships, but if for whatever reason you need it back then legally they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on to say no if you meet the requirements, so long as you give up your other one.

No he isn't saying that. Poland is in the EU & what Nigel Farage was talking about was deporting people not from the EU if they can't switch to the 5 year work visas.

It’s whipping up hatred to require people to have visas? Heard it all now.

@twiglets thanks for responding to me.

Don’t worry, your DH will be fine!! He’s been here 20 years and that was the agreement with the EU and I’m sure Farage said as much.

Thank you @CandleMug

It wasn't in their manifesto produced prior to last year's GE, but the policy was published on their website last month:
https://assets.nationbuilder.com/reformuk/pages/253/attachments/original/1756202533/REFORM_Immigration_Enforcement.pdf?1756202533
Couldn't you have just googled this yourself?

Are you trying to suggest he did not say he wants to abolish ILR? It has been very widely reported. There are videos on YouTube of him sayingnit if you don't believe me.

You're welcome.

I was a bit afraid to because of some posters but I didn't want you worrying unnecessarily about your husband being one of the ones that Reform are targeting re the threat of deportations.

EU citizens have more protection in the UK than non EU citizens.

Well thank you again. I have felt sick all day with worry and have cried thinking about he could be deported in the future! So I appreciate you reaching out with your reassuring response.

It’s very highly unlikely he would be deported. If the rules changed to simply mean anyone born overseas would have to leave, Nigel would have to deport half his own family.

My husband was born overseas and is racially ambiguous looking, I’m not worried at all. He has a solid full time work history and 2 children here, no criminal record and is a net contributor.

You have a lot more faith in Nige than I do...

I don’t have faith in him but I think he’s predictable and that helps. What we can expect is very tightened immigration controls, taxes to remain the same, massive welfare cuts and a boosted military. Plus added pomp of things like making St George’s day a public holiday.

Reform said the changes would not apply to EU nationals whose settled status is protected under the European Union Withdrawal Agreement. Although there is some suggestion that is temporary. I wouldn't panic yet but I'd start investigating what your options are (getting citizenship for example) so that you know what you would do if you needed to. If you have a plan it will be less worrying.

It's his predictability that scares me. He's all about easy targets, so when tightening up doesn't work he'll move on to the next target. And if he doesn't, someone even worse might come next.

But they don't need visas - don't you understand that? These are immigrants who have lived and worked in the UK for at least 5 years so have met the residence requirements to be granted settled status and ILR. Many of them (including on this thread) have made their lives here; bought property, married, had children, they work and pay taxes - they've been here for decades (including OP who doesn't feel like she would even fit now in her country of origin). Why do you think it's acceptable for Farage to tear up a very established rule book? These people haven't done anything wrong - they've contributed to the wealth of the UK for years.

Thank you @Uggbootsforever and @Croakymccroakyvoice you're right a plan will help!

@PraisebetoGod
I would apply for a citizenship if Poland allows this. Your DH will be better protected if he’s naturalised because I really don’t like the direction of travel at the moment.

I will look into citizenship thank you for the advice OP.

@moderate
It wasn't in their manifesto produced prior to last year's GE, but the policy was published on their website last month:
https://assets.nationbuilder.com/reformuk/pages/253/attachments/original/1756202533/REFORM_Immigration_Enforcement.pdf?1756202533

But he’s not suggesting deporting them, just reevaluating the group by introducing a fresh Visa process. Ultimately he wants to stem the flow of people entitled to ILR in future by making the process harder particularly for people with low career potential and the likelihood of just claiming benefits.

I honestly don’t see what’s wrong with this. I have a friend whose mother is from the Middle East, moved here in the late 1980s, can only speak a few individual words of English and has never worked. Why should the taxpayer fund her medical care, housing, pension etc?

Probably going to be similar to the trajectory of historical examples of extreme nationalism and cultural parochialism. Where they deport those they can; some leave by choice; and things just get more and more uncomfortable for people they haven't deported, but don't fit the "English" stereotype.

In this example, at best we're seen as second class citizens and decades of work on diversity, inclusion, multiculturalism, equality, acceptance (yes, I know lots of people hate those words) etc. is down the drain.

From a brown person born in England with British parents. Yes, it's scary - and with no EU passport (thanks Brexit), I can't actually move abroad!

Genuine question (almost) - does it mean anyone on less than 60K a year is entitled to benefits? Probably I m missing out?