To be worried about my indefinite leave to remain. Should I get British citizenship?

[Milliemoons]

I know it hasn’t happened yet and may not happen. But I’m worried about the security of my indefinite leave to remain. Anyone else out there? Or am I worried about nothing? I understand that legally they cannot really do much to jeopardise the status of people who have acquired legal settled status already but I’m worried more about pressure and complications should anything change.

I was born in the UK and have always lived here, except for 4 years as a child in my parents’ home country. I have the same citizenship as my parents because originally as a child you had to be on a parent’s passport. I think I therefore have easy-ish access to British citizenship but it’s not something I ever imagined applying for.

For me, citizenship is more closely tied to personal identity, so I understand why you feel your identity aligns more with your parents' heritage. No matter what others say, they cannot define your identity.

I’d wait until the government officially announces something. An option will likely be provided. Until then, I’d maintain the ILR.

In your shoes, I would definitely recommend applying for citizenship. We have a foreign national with ILTR in the family and we all encouraging tbem to apply.

They did actually apply a few years ago and never finished the process because the Home Office made so many mistakes that they cancelled the application and gave them a full refund.

It's an arduous and very very expensive process but given the way politics is going, I would now see it as more important than ever.

I had wondered why there were so many people with ILTR who didn't have citizenship. My friend was utterly delighted to be granted citizenship but her country of origin is unstable and travelling on her other passport was always difficult. My SIL had dual UK and US citizenship but has now relinquished her US passport because it was so much trouble.

They are already moving the goalposts. You will need 10 years and meet all sort of conditions to get ILR. it was 5 years before. Who knows what is next we Labour trying to outdo Nigel. Are you not following the news????

@Milliemoons

These days with the rise of the right and protectionism globally you can’t continue to think of citizenship as an emotional signalling - and become pragmatic.
I am an immigrant with 2 passports. Kids are 2 gen here, born in and feel British and have 4 passports - so in the future, they’ll be ok even if major re-balancing of global mobility actually happens.

Farage seems to be a very likely next PM. i’d not take chances and be pragmatic.

My kids have British, Australian and Irish citizenship - they’re Australian born to British parents who also have Australian and Irish citizenship.
I want them to have the ability to live and work easily in as many places as possible, which is why I have organised these passports for them.
No emotions are involved, simply practicalities.

I completely understand. I am British but after living in the USA for a long time, I got US citizenship, to protect our children (long story) and felt very conflicted during the whole process, especially the part when they make you take a vow to "reject your country of origin" or words to that effect. My DH quite helpfully whispered to me at the time, "they can make you say it but they can't make you mean it"

But honestly if being a UK citizen will protect you down the line just get it done.

If a UK party started kicking out people with the level of settled life here that op has, she'd be one of the lucky ones, in that she could leave. A government pursuing that line, with a parliamentary majority to support it, would be a UK not worth living in.

Were you born pre-1983? That’s when birthright citizenship was abolished.

Absolutely be worried and absolutely work on getting your British citizenship. It provides more security.

I also would not rely on what they cannot “legally” do.

Laws can be changed.

Yes I'm reading the news. Things haven't changed for those who already hold ILR

It's interesting to contrast the views on the legal process of becoming a citizen, with the views on the legal process of entering into the contract some call marriage.

Especially in terms of securing rights.

I would say citizenship v ilr is more akin to marriage v civil partnership.

Both secure rights and protections. The issue is they're looking at stripping away those rights and protections.

It's not that straightforward for people with ILR if dual nationality is not recognised between the UK and their country or origin, Spain for example. I have a Spanish friend, she's lived and worked in the UK for over 30 years, since she was 20. If she applies for British Nationality she will have to relinquish her Spanish nationality, which makes no sense.

This

No, in the 90s. Will ask my mum!

She will be covered by the EU/UK withdrawal agreement. Reform say they won't attempt to change that, and if they did, it would affect the UK trade agreement with the EU, it's impact on the UK would be huge, and the Irish border issue would need addressing. All those years of uncertainty would tank the UK economy. Imagine millions of EU professionals in the UK being denied the right to stay and work. Also worth noting that many of these changes would take longer than a electoral term to become law.

I think it is common sense to try to become a citizen of the country in which you reside. Yes, it's expensive and a bit of hassle but it gives you lifelong security where you're settled with your family and friends. You are right in considering pursuing this and I urge you to go ahead and do so.

Reform have said they will change the law retrospectively if they are voted in.

So anyone with ILR will be deported. They said at their conference that anyone with ILR shouldn't be getting a pension. They will start with low paid workers and people on any benefits.

I have ilr too, I have lived here since I was 6 months old. I am 48. I have 32 years of NI contributions. I have a minimum wage job and I claim pip.

I can't afford citizenship.

That is a very insightful comparison - I'm using that from now on 😎

That Spains sovereignty at play. In the same way the UK is and always has been a sovereign nation.

i wouldn't say that. I have spent way way more of my life in my adopted country, than i have in the UK but it is still a big part of you.

So when I (thanks Brexit) got citizenship of where i live, i was quite breezy about it. Until i signed the form and the clerk put the certificate in my hand and i burst into tears. And she gave me a tissue and said "don't worry, it gets lots of people like that"

So, OP, have a good think about it - unless you have to give up another citizenship to do this, treat it as an admin task (like getting a visa) but be prepared for unexpected feelings to surface.

I meant to add, that's one explanation for why there are so many people who haven't gone to the effort and expense of getting citizenship. Up until now, they've assumed (not unreasonably) that they have rights and protections under their ILR status which means the additional rights citizenship confers were perhaps not of sufficient value.

My husband has settled status so not quite the same. But when he first was eligible for citizenship his home country didn't allow adults to hold dual nationality. The additional rights he would get as a citizen weren't worth giving up his other nationality for.

But you have your citizenship now and your rights are secure, right? There is nothing stopping you from fully experiencing your emotions AND getting rid of the anxiety/fear from someone questioning your legal right to be here at any point in time. Would you give up the citizenship of your adopted country just because you feel emotional about it?

One reasons I've put it off is there there is no choice to attend the citizenship ceremony (that you have to pay) for, and affirm alliengence to the British King)