Please support my Campaign for Citizenship Equality.
I'm eligible for British citizenship by descent but refuse to apply because of unfair conditions.
I have set up a new website to address the ongoing inequality regarding the right to claim unconditional British citizenship by anyone with a British parent.
http://britishbydescent.wordpress.com/
and a blog
You can follow my campaign on Twitter too:
https://twitter.com/BritbyDescent
Showing posts with label British citizenship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label British citizenship. Show all posts
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
British mothers still not equal to British fathers!
So today is the 100th International Women's Day, and we still have an ongoing inequality in the UK regarding the right for British mothers to pass on their citizenship to their children.
The UK government has always given this right to the children of all (married) British fathers automatically but not always to the children of British mothers. My mother is English and therefore I should be eligible for British citizenship but up until recently this right was denied.
Last year (13 January 2010), the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 came into force which meant I was finally granted the right to claim British citzenship. Incredibly, it was only "a right to register as a British citizen" and I would also have to pay £540 to claim my British citizenship! This was absolutely outrageous since anyone born in the same circumstances after 1983, or at anytime to a (married) UK father, could simply complete a passport application without the need to register and without any fee.
I considered this path to citizenship to be unaccepable and I did not take up the offer to attain my British citizenship in this unfair way. There was a public outcry (quite rightly) from myself and many others about this blatant discrimination. Consequently, the law was amended in November 2010 and the application fee (which had actually gone up to £550 during the year!) was removed.
However, we still have to register and need to pay an administrative fee of £80 to cover the cost of a citizenship ceremony.*
As the law stands now the following two cases are exceptions to automatic British citizenship:
We still don't have 100% parity with the children of British father's! If my father had been British, citizenship would be automatic - no registration required, no fee at all and no ceremony!
It's unjustified discrimination.
*Registration and the citizenship ceremony is meant for those without a British parent. In other words, for foreigners who wish to become UK citizens.
The UK government has always given this right to the children of all (married) British fathers automatically but not always to the children of British mothers. My mother is English and therefore I should be eligible for British citizenship but up until recently this right was denied.
Last year (13 January 2010), the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 came into force which meant I was finally granted the right to claim British citzenship. Incredibly, it was only "a right to register as a British citizen" and I would also have to pay £540 to claim my British citizenship! This was absolutely outrageous since anyone born in the same circumstances after 1983, or at anytime to a (married) UK father, could simply complete a passport application without the need to register and without any fee.
I considered this path to citizenship to be unaccepable and I did not take up the offer to attain my British citizenship in this unfair way. There was a public outcry (quite rightly) from myself and many others about this blatant discrimination. Consequently, the law was amended in November 2010 and the application fee (which had actually gone up to £550 during the year!) was removed.
However, we still have to register and need to pay an administrative fee of £80 to cover the cost of a citizenship ceremony.*
As the law stands now the following two cases are exceptions to automatic British citizenship:
- Children born abroad before 1983 to British female citizens
- Children born before 2006 to unmarried British male citizens (and in fact they are even denied the right to register)
We still don't have 100% parity with the children of British father's! If my father had been British, citizenship would be automatic - no registration required, no fee at all and no ceremony!
It's unjustified discrimination.
*Registration and the citizenship ceremony is meant for those without a British parent. In other words, for foreigners who wish to become UK citizens.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Manning: US/UK dual nationality (British citizenship inequality)
This article in the Guardian was brought to my attention yesterday via twitter:
Bradley Manning is UK citizen and needs protection, government told
Amnesty International asks government to intervene on behalf of soldier suspected of having passed US secrets to WikiLeaks
The article explains:
Manning is a UK citizen by descent from his Welsh mother.Susan Bradley was born in Oklahoma in 1987.
Further explanation about the nationality issue from the article:
Born in the US, he is a US citizen. But under the British Nationality Act of 1981, anyone born outside the UK after 1 January 1983 who has a mother who is a UK citizen by birth is British by descent.
"Nationality is like an elastic band: it stretches to one generation born outside the UK to a British parent," said Alison Harvey, head of the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association in London.
Now, I realize the issue about how Manning is being treated in a maximum security military prison is a valid concern, and I can see why this news about his nationality has become a talking point, but for me personally, it has fueled my anger about British citizenship inequality.
I was born in the USA to a British mother but I can't claim automatic British citizenship by descent because I was born before 1983.
British citizenship for those of us born before 1983 to British mothers requires registration (application which can be denied) and attending a citizenship ceremony. Frankly, I find the application to be insulting. It requires two references to confirm "good character" for goodness sake!
It’s disgraceful that we must submit a form intended for immigrants and pay £80 for a citizenship ceremony. The registration form and ceremony are for those without a British parent. This path to citizenship is an insult and unjustified discrimination!
I have a right to automatic British citizenship which I'm entitled to via my British mum.
Bradley Manning is UK citizen and needs protection, government told
Amnesty International asks government to intervene on behalf of soldier suspected of having passed US secrets to WikiLeaks
The article explains:
Manning is a UK citizen by descent from his Welsh mother.Susan Bradley was born in Oklahoma in 1987.
Further explanation about the nationality issue from the article:
Born in the US, he is a US citizen. But under the British Nationality Act of 1981, anyone born outside the UK after 1 January 1983 who has a mother who is a UK citizen by birth is British by descent.
"Nationality is like an elastic band: it stretches to one generation born outside the UK to a British parent," said Alison Harvey, head of the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association in London.
Now, I realize the issue about how Manning is being treated in a maximum security military prison is a valid concern, and I can see why this news about his nationality has become a talking point, but for me personally, it has fueled my anger about British citizenship inequality.
I was born in the USA to a British mother but I can't claim automatic British citizenship by descent because I was born before 1983.
British citizenship for those of us born before 1983 to British mothers requires registration (application which can be denied) and attending a citizenship ceremony. Frankly, I find the application to be insulting. It requires two references to confirm "good character" for goodness sake!
It’s disgraceful that we must submit a form intended for immigrants and pay £80 for a citizenship ceremony. The registration form and ceremony are for those without a British parent. This path to citizenship is an insult and unjustified discrimination!
I have a right to automatic British citizenship which I'm entitled to via my British mum.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
People born before 1983 to British mothers
Sigh. So the saga continues. There is still no equality regarding British citizenship via British mothers.
I've been waiting for news announcing the results of committee meetings by the House of Commons and the House of Lords regarding proposed changes to the requirements for British citizenship via British mothers. Thanks to Michael Turberville, I learned that the House of Commons committee meeting was on 1 Nov, and the House of Lords meeting was 17 Nov to remove the fee of £550. Michael shares this exciting news on his website: The exemption to the fee for 4C applications will then come into effect on the 22 November.
I should be very pleased, right? Well, initially it does indeed sound like very good news however it turns out we are still not being granted automatic British citizenship via our British mothers! I learned this from an anonymous comment on my blog - The fee has been eliminated but the citizenship ceremony fee remains (£80).
This is the latest official news from the Home Office about this change to the law:
Registration of people born before 1983 to British mothers
19 November 2010
From Monday 22 November 2010 those applying under this section will not be required to pay an application fee for registration. Those who are applying in the UK will still need to pay an administrative fee of £80, as this is forwarded to the local authority to cover the administrative cost of a citizenship ceremony. The £80 administrative fee should be paid when making the application, but will be refunded if the application is unsuccessful. Those applying overseas will be required to pay a consular fee.
So the discrimination continues! We are expected to make an application and pay a fee for a citizenship ceremony and attend the ceremony. We still don't have 100% parity with the children of British father's. If my father had been British, citizenship would be automatic - no registration required, no fee at all and no ceremony!
By the way, my mother is a British war bride. The majority of people affected by this change in the law are children of British war brides. It's disgusting that the UK is still refusing to give us our right to automatic citizenship. Why are we being treated as second-class citizens?
I'm entitled to automatic citizenship via my British mother - that is citizenship without any conditions. This latest news is just changing the amount of the fee, and it was never just about the money! It's a matter of equality. The administrative fee of £80 to cover the administrative cost of a citizenship ceremony, is ridiculous! Why are we required to attend a ceremony? The citizenship ceremony is for immigrants who seek to become British citizens. The children of British mothers are not immigrants!
I'm also outraged to read that the £80 administrative fee...will be refunded if the application is unsuccessful, which implies that we are still having to apply for our right to citizenship and that we can be denied! The word, application seems to me to be the same as registration. It's blatatant discrimination to require an application (which can be denied) and the ceremony (which is for immigrants!).
Why are we still being denied our right to automatic British citizenship?
Edited to add: For your information - via the UK Home Office website:
Applicants for British citizenship use application Form UKM
"Registration as a British citizen by certain persons born before 1983 to British mothers"
Notice it states: Application for registration as a British citizen by a person born before 1983 to a British mother
Completing the application form (note the required information on Form UKM before approval for citizenship!)
Yes, the fee has been greatly reduced but we are required to register - and then (possibly) be approved for British citizenship before attending the required ceremony (which is for foreigners without a British parent). Blatant discrimination!
Related posts from my blog:
Changes to the law on citizenship: Children of British mothers
British Citizenship - discrimination
Guardian's Liberty Clinic - query about British citizenship
Related blog post via Jims Blog :
UK Continues to discriminate against children of female British citizens
I've been waiting for news announcing the results of committee meetings by the House of Commons and the House of Lords regarding proposed changes to the requirements for British citizenship via British mothers. Thanks to Michael Turberville, I learned that the House of Commons committee meeting was on 1 Nov, and the House of Lords meeting was 17 Nov to remove the fee of £550. Michael shares this exciting news on his website: The exemption to the fee for 4C applications will then come into effect on the 22 November.
I should be very pleased, right? Well, initially it does indeed sound like very good news however it turns out we are still not being granted automatic British citizenship via our British mothers! I learned this from an anonymous comment on my blog - The fee has been eliminated but the citizenship ceremony fee remains (£80).
This is the latest official news from the Home Office about this change to the law:
Registration of people born before 1983 to British mothers
19 November 2010
From Monday 22 November 2010 those applying under this section will not be required to pay an application fee for registration. Those who are applying in the UK will still need to pay an administrative fee of £80, as this is forwarded to the local authority to cover the administrative cost of a citizenship ceremony. The £80 administrative fee should be paid when making the application, but will be refunded if the application is unsuccessful. Those applying overseas will be required to pay a consular fee.
So the discrimination continues! We are expected to make an application and pay a fee for a citizenship ceremony and attend the ceremony. We still don't have 100% parity with the children of British father's. If my father had been British, citizenship would be automatic - no registration required, no fee at all and no ceremony!
By the way, my mother is a British war bride. The majority of people affected by this change in the law are children of British war brides. It's disgusting that the UK is still refusing to give us our right to automatic citizenship. Why are we being treated as second-class citizens?
I'm entitled to automatic citizenship via my British mother - that is citizenship without any conditions. This latest news is just changing the amount of the fee, and it was never just about the money! It's a matter of equality. The administrative fee of £80 to cover the administrative cost of a citizenship ceremony, is ridiculous! Why are we required to attend a ceremony? The citizenship ceremony is for immigrants who seek to become British citizens. The children of British mothers are not immigrants!
I'm also outraged to read that the £80 administrative fee...will be refunded if the application is unsuccessful, which implies that we are still having to apply for our right to citizenship and that we can be denied! The word, application seems to me to be the same as registration. It's blatatant discrimination to require an application (which can be denied) and the ceremony (which is for immigrants!).
Why are we still being denied our right to automatic British citizenship?
Edited to add: For your information - via the UK Home Office website:
Applicants for British citizenship use application Form UKM
"Registration as a British citizen by certain persons born before 1983 to British mothers"
Notice it states: Application for registration as a British citizen by a person born before 1983 to a British mother
Completing the application form (note the required information on Form UKM before approval for citizenship!)
Yes, the fee has been greatly reduced but we are required to register - and then (possibly) be approved for British citizenship before attending the required ceremony (which is for foreigners without a British parent). Blatant discrimination!
Related posts from my blog:
Changes to the law on citizenship: Children of British mothers
British Citizenship - discrimination
Guardian's Liberty Clinic - query about British citizenship
Related blog post via Jims Blog :
UK Continues to discriminate against children of female British citizens
Sunday, August 1, 2010
British Citizenship - discrimination
The UK government continues to discriminate against children born abroad to British female citizens and children of unmarried British male citizens.
Why isn't a legitimate claim to British citizenship by descent, automatic for all children of a British parent?
I was born abroad to an English mother but to be eligible for British citizenship, the law states that I will have to register and pay a fee of £540 to claim my British citizenship by descent. However, if I had been born abroad to a British father (or if I was younger) my entitlement to citizenship would have been automatic!
There has been an ongoing campaign over the years to get this inequality corrected but despite a succession of petitions and promises made by various politicians, very little has changed.
Since the change in Government following the General Election, I have written to the new Home Secretary, Theresa May about this unjustified discrimination regarding British citizenship by descent. I asked her if the new Government will follow up on this issue and put an end to this blatant discrimination. I have not had a reply. It's worth noting that Theresa May is also the Minister for Women and Equality!
I also wrote to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about the blatant age and sex discrimination and I was informed by EHRC that;
"Acts of Parliament are included in the Table of Exceptions from the Sex Discrimination Act"
and
"Age discrimination would also not apply as this only currently applies to employment and education."
So much for the Equality and Human Rights Commission! They don't help at all even though this is blatant discrimination! What about equality and what about our human rights?!
I am asking for my readers to help.
'Your Freedom' http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/ is a new website from the Coalition Government where you are invited to submit your "ideas" for laws that should be scrapped or amended.
I have submitted my idea regarding Nationality via British mother and tsprague submitted this idea: Allow Illegitimate Children Citizenship Through Their British Fathers
Please leave a comment to support the ideas via the above links. The Coalition Government needs to know that the British public will not accept this blatant discrimination!
I would also be very grateful if you would sign the latest petition:
British Citizenship for persons born abroad to British Mothers and Fathers
http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/british-nationality.html
Children of British Citizens Who are females and Children of Unmarried British Males should be given their equal rights to automatic nationality rather then have to pay fees, undergo good character tests, and ceremonies on the same basis as others born later who are automatically citizens.
It is time for the law to be amended so that the right to nationality via British mothers or British fathers is exactly the same.
Related posts:
Changes to the law on citizenship: Children of British mothers
Guardian's Liberty Clinic - query about British citizenship
People born before 1983 to British mothers
Why isn't a legitimate claim to British citizenship by descent, automatic for all children of a British parent?
I was born abroad to an English mother but to be eligible for British citizenship, the law states that I will have to register and pay a fee of £540 to claim my British citizenship by descent. However, if I had been born abroad to a British father (or if I was younger) my entitlement to citizenship would have been automatic!
There has been an ongoing campaign over the years to get this inequality corrected but despite a succession of petitions and promises made by various politicians, very little has changed.
Since the change in Government following the General Election, I have written to the new Home Secretary, Theresa May about this unjustified discrimination regarding British citizenship by descent. I asked her if the new Government will follow up on this issue and put an end to this blatant discrimination. I have not had a reply. It's worth noting that Theresa May is also the Minister for Women and Equality!
I also wrote to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about the blatant age and sex discrimination and I was informed by EHRC that;
"Acts of Parliament are included in the Table of Exceptions from the Sex Discrimination Act"
and
"Age discrimination would also not apply as this only currently applies to employment and education."
So much for the Equality and Human Rights Commission! They don't help at all even though this is blatant discrimination! What about equality and what about our human rights?!
I am asking for my readers to help.
'Your Freedom' http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/ is a new website from the Coalition Government where you are invited to submit your "ideas" for laws that should be scrapped or amended.
I have submitted my idea regarding Nationality via British mother and tsprague submitted this idea: Allow Illegitimate Children Citizenship Through Their British Fathers
Please leave a comment to support the ideas via the above links. The Coalition Government needs to know that the British public will not accept this blatant discrimination!
I would also be very grateful if you would sign the latest petition:
British Citizenship for persons born abroad to British Mothers and Fathers
http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/british-nationality.html
Children of British Citizens Who are females and Children of Unmarried British Males should be given their equal rights to automatic nationality rather then have to pay fees, undergo good character tests, and ceremonies on the same basis as others born later who are automatically citizens.
It is time for the law to be amended so that the right to nationality via British mothers or British fathers is exactly the same.
Related posts:
Changes to the law on citizenship: Children of British mothers
Guardian's Liberty Clinic - query about British citizenship
People born before 1983 to British mothers
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Good news regarding British citizenship for children born abroad to British mothers!
When I was on Twitter today, I noticed some new 'tweets' (posts) from Harriet Harman and was stunned to read these particular messages:
Talked to the Home Sec. We are going to scrap registration fee for nationality for British via mother from next year. Sweet tweet success
Equality Bill through the House of Lords. Great milestone for further progress on equality.
To say I am very pleased would be an understatement! I have been campaigning on twitter quite extensively to get the unfair law changed regarding British citizenship for children born abroad to British mothers.
In particular, I've addressed tweets directly to Harriet Harman (she is not just the deputy PM but also the Minister for Women & Equality) asking her how she can justify the inequality in the Borders, Immigration & Citizenship Bill, and had several replies from her with assurances that she would "get on to it". I was hopeful that the inequality would finally be addressed but since she also told me she couldn't give me a timescale, I could only keep watch on the situation and wait and see what happened.
After reading the tweets from Ms Harman today, I am very confident now that we (the adult children born abroad to British mothers) will finally get the same automatic right to claim British citizenship that children of British fathers have always had. I'm not sure about the details - why Harriet Harman states "from next year" for example - but hopefully the necessary changes to the law are at least starting to be put in place.
This news is very good news indeed! Thank you to everyone for all your support in this campaign and particularly thanks to everyone who has signed the petition started by Mrs Elizabeth Peterson.
I will be keeping a close eye on how this change to the law progresses. This blatant inequality must be corrected and I'm not going to stop my campaign for citizenship equality until it is.
Edited to add:
It would appear that I was too hasty in making this announcement because in fact nothing has changed yet. While it's true that Harriet Harman did make a promise via Twitter, it doesn't look like any changes to the law were instigated. And now that we have a new government, I can only deduce that we have to start our campaign all over again for citizenship equality. I apologise if I raised anyone's hopes that this issue was resolved.
I am closing comments to this particular post now.
Please see this Related Post for latest news:
People born before 1983 to British mothers
Talked to the Home Sec. We are going to scrap registration fee for nationality for British via mother from next year. Sweet tweet success
Equality Bill through the House of Lords. Great milestone for further progress on equality.
To say I am very pleased would be an understatement! I have been campaigning on twitter quite extensively to get the unfair law changed regarding British citizenship for children born abroad to British mothers.
In particular, I've addressed tweets directly to Harriet Harman (she is not just the deputy PM but also the Minister for Women & Equality) asking her how she can justify the inequality in the Borders, Immigration & Citizenship Bill, and had several replies from her with assurances that she would "get on to it". I was hopeful that the inequality would finally be addressed but since she also told me she couldn't give me a timescale, I could only keep watch on the situation and wait and see what happened.
After reading the tweets from Ms Harman today, I am very confident now that we (the adult children born abroad to British mothers) will finally get the same automatic right to claim British citizenship that children of British fathers have always had. I'm not sure about the details - why Harriet Harman states "from next year" for example - but hopefully the necessary changes to the law are at least starting to be put in place.
This news is very good news indeed! Thank you to everyone for all your support in this campaign and particularly thanks to everyone who has signed the petition started by Mrs Elizabeth Peterson.
I will be keeping a close eye on how this change to the law progresses. This blatant inequality must be corrected and I'm not going to stop my campaign for citizenship equality until it is.
Edited to add:
It would appear that I was too hasty in making this announcement because in fact nothing has changed yet. While it's true that Harriet Harman did make a promise via Twitter, it doesn't look like any changes to the law were instigated. And now that we have a new government, I can only deduce that we have to start our campaign all over again for citizenship equality. I apologise if I raised anyone's hopes that this issue was resolved.
I am closing comments to this particular post now.
Please see this Related Post for latest news:
People born before 1983 to British mothers
Monday, March 8, 2010
International Women's Day
Today is International Women's Day (IWD)
The 2010 theme: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
I think it's apropos to connect this day to my quest for equal rights to British citizenship. This article, Misogyny is Alive and Well Among British Lawmakers - explains exactly how unfair the Borders Immigration & Citizenship Act 2009 is.
Children born abroad to (married) British fathers get automatic citizenship. The law was amended to correct the inequality regarding citizenship for children born abroad to British mothers but it still discriminates. The "children" (now adults) of British mothers have to register and pay £540 and attend a ceremony to attain British citizenship. Citizenship is not automatic.
What about equal rights for British mothers to be able to pass on their citizenship the same as British fathers have always been able to?
Please add your name to the petition: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/UKmothers/
The 2010 theme: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
I think it's apropos to connect this day to my quest for equal rights to British citizenship. This article, Misogyny is Alive and Well Among British Lawmakers - explains exactly how unfair the Borders Immigration & Citizenship Act 2009 is.
Children born abroad to (married) British fathers get automatic citizenship. The law was amended to correct the inequality regarding citizenship for children born abroad to British mothers but it still discriminates. The "children" (now adults) of British mothers have to register and pay £540 and attend a ceremony to attain British citizenship. Citizenship is not automatic.
What about equal rights for British mothers to be able to pass on their citizenship the same as British fathers have always been able to?
Please add your name to the petition: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/UKmothers/
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Guardian's Liberty Clinic - query about British citizenship
From the Guardian's Liberty Clinic
How can I be discriminated against because of my mother's gender?
The actual question was: "How can the the Borders, Immigration & Citizenship Bill - with its gender and age discrimination - be legal?"
The answer from Emma Norton, a legal officer at Liberty, is quite disappointing and not very helpful or encouraging. And she had the gall to brag about how "Liberty welcomed this change in the law which removed this historic discrimination against those who wished to claim citizenship through their mother."
The law has been amended but the discrimination has not been removed! We (the children born abroad to British mothers) finally are eligible to apply for British citizenship but it means we "have a right to register as a British citizen" and we have to pay £540 , and attend a citizenship ceremony before we can claim our British citizenship by descent!
Liberty is also known as the National Council for Civil Liberties. Founded in 1934, we are a cross party, non-party membership organisation at the heart of the movement for fundamental rights and freedoms in England and Wales. We promote the values of individual human dignity, equal treatment and fairness as the foundations of a democratic society.
Well, I certainly don't consider this very unfair path to citizenship with its conditions (registration, fee and ceremony) to be equal treatment or fair!
The comments following Ms Norton's reply are very interesting. I suggest everyone reads the comments if they want to understand exactly why this issue of inequality regarding British citizenship is so very unfair.
The MPs are guilty of passing a blatantly discriminatory Bill for passage into law. They should all be very ashamed.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Changes to the law on citizenship: Children of British mothers
The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 came into force today (13 January 2010) which means I finally "have a right to register as a British citizen" but I will have to pay £540 to claim my British citizenship by descent!
This new law does not allow UK mothers to pass on citizenship to their children regardless of where or when they were born. It requires all those born abroad to a UK mother prior to 1983 to register with the UKBA and pay an exorbitant fee (presently £540) before they can apply for a UK passport. Anyone born in the same circumstances after 1983 or at anytime to a UK father can simply complete a passport application without the need to register and without a fee.
All British women are not equal. My British mother couldn't pass her citizenship to me until today - and it doesn't mean I am automatically British. I have to 'register' and pay £540 and attend a British citizenship ceremony before I can gain my British citizenship.
And it's worth noting that registration can be rejected. The right to register as a British citizen does not guarantee that an application will be approved.
Why isn't a legitimate claim to British citizenship by descent, automatic? Why are we considered less equal to the same right that others can claim? Does this inequality mean that we are second-class British citizens?
It is disgraceful that I (and others in the same situation) will have to register and pay for our right to British citizenship by descent. The British government made us wait all these years for the unfair law to be amended and then decided we are still not equal to children of British fathers.
Many British women who gave birth abroad were war brides (my mum was one). Shouldn't their children have the same right to British citizenship by descent as the children of British fathers do?
The Members of Parliament have passed a Bill that blatantly discriminates against British mothers and their children. And shockingly, the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill - with its blatant gender and age discrimination - has now become law.
If you are BRITISH (British expats can sign too!) or a British resident you can help stop the gender and age discrimination! Add your name to this petition:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/UKmothers/
Related posts:
People born before 1983 to British mothers
British Citizenship - discrimination
Guardian's Liberty Clinic - query about British citizenship
This new law does not allow UK mothers to pass on citizenship to their children regardless of where or when they were born. It requires all those born abroad to a UK mother prior to 1983 to register with the UKBA and pay an exorbitant fee (presently £540) before they can apply for a UK passport. Anyone born in the same circumstances after 1983 or at anytime to a UK father can simply complete a passport application without the need to register and without a fee.
All British women are not equal. My British mother couldn't pass her citizenship to me until today - and it doesn't mean I am automatically British. I have to 'register' and pay £540 and attend a British citizenship ceremony before I can gain my British citizenship.
And it's worth noting that registration can be rejected. The right to register as a British citizen does not guarantee that an application will be approved.
Why isn't a legitimate claim to British citizenship by descent, automatic? Why are we considered less equal to the same right that others can claim? Does this inequality mean that we are second-class British citizens?
It is disgraceful that I (and others in the same situation) will have to register and pay for our right to British citizenship by descent. The British government made us wait all these years for the unfair law to be amended and then decided we are still not equal to children of British fathers.
Many British women who gave birth abroad were war brides (my mum was one). Shouldn't their children have the same right to British citizenship by descent as the children of British fathers do?
The Members of Parliament have passed a Bill that blatantly discriminates against British mothers and their children. And shockingly, the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill - with its blatant gender and age discrimination - has now become law.
If you are BRITISH (British expats can sign too!) or a British resident you can help stop the gender and age discrimination! Add your name to this petition:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/UKmothers/
Related posts:
People born before 1983 to British mothers
British Citizenship - discrimination
Guardian's Liberty Clinic - query about British citizenship
Monday, November 23, 2009
An Open Letter to my Readers
Dear Readers,
I am asking for your help in an important matter regarding British Citizenship which affects me (and many others in the same situation).
This past summer (July) the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill, was passed through Parliament and approved for implementation in 2010.
A small but vital part of the Bill was regarding an amendment to the law to give British nationality to people born before February 1961 whose mothers were born in the UK.
Up until 2002, if you had a British father, you got a right to citizenship, but not if you had a British mother. In 2002, they changed that law, but they only backdated it to 1961. This latest law amends that inequality but it still discriminates!
My mother is English and I was born in the USA before 1961.
While it's true that the law regarding children born abroad to British mothers before 1961 was amended, it continues to discriminate because I will have to register and pay a fee of £540 plus attend a citizenship ceremony before I can claim my British Citizenship by descent. However, if my father had been British, I could claim my British Citizenship by descent without registration, without the ceremony and without the exhorbitant fee.
Why shouldn't my British mother be able to pass on her citizenship the same way British fathers can?! The amended law still discriminates!!
How can you help? Two very easy ways:
1. If you are British or you live in the UK, please sign this petition to:
stop the gender and age discrimination in the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/UKmothers/
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop the gender and age discrimination in the Borders, Immigration & Citizenship Bill which does not allow UK mothers to pass on their citizenship to their children regardless of where or when they were born..
The Borders, Immigration & Citizenship Bill requires all those born abroad to a UK mother prior to 1983 to register with the UKBA and pay an exorbitant fee (presently in excess of £500) before they can apply for a UK passport. Anyone born in the same circumstances after 1983 or at anytime to a UK father can simply complete a passport application without the need to register. The registration/fee is required regardless of country of residence so that even someone who has lived in the UK for most of their lives, is a taxpayer, a home owner and has known no other country, still has to register and pay the fee.
2. Tell everyone about the petition. Please help spread the word via blogs, forums, twitter, facebook, etc. The more publicity the better.
Please help me (and others like me in the same situation) by signing the petition.
Thank you very much to everyone for your support.
Kind regards to all my readers,
Maureen
P.S. An important reminder regarding the petition to No 10:
You must give your name, address (which will not be published) and your email address.
You will receive an email - click link to confirm. You must click the link in the email from the Number 10 Petitions system to confirm your signature on the petition or your name won't show!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill
I've been glued to the TV this afternoon and evening watching the MPs as they are discussing amendments to the the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill. The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill transfers 4,500 HM Revenue and Customs officers to the UK Borders Agency and introduces a requirement for immigrants to earn British citizenship. It's also making important changes in the law to give British nationality to people born before February 1961 whose mothers were born in the UK.
This is the part of the bill that will directly affect me since my mother is British and I was born in the USA before 1961:
Children of British mothers - proposed changes to law on citizenship
A person who has a British mother currently has a right to register as a British citizen under section 4C of the British Nationality Act 1981 if:
he or she was born between 7 February 1961 and 1 January 1983; and
he or she would have become a British citizen if women had been able to pass on citizenship in the same way as men at that time.
The Government has proposed changes to the law, to allow people born before the 1961 date to British mothers to be registered as British citizens. These proposals are set out in the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill which is currently being debated in Parliament. If successful, this Bill will extend the provisions of section 4C of the British Nationality Act 1981 to those born before 1961.
This amendment should correct this discriminatory law, however in reality, it doesn't since there is a registration fee of £540 to claim my British citizenship by descent. If my father had been British and/or I was younger, I would automatically have been granted my British citizenship (without paying a fee) so why should I have to now pay a fee to claim what should be my right?
The bill is very convoluted with a lot of different issues, not just the particular one that I'm concerned about. The bill is so huge that it should have been divided up into separate bills. And there should be much more time allowed to discuss each point properly, rather than trying to rush through the reading in one day.
Phil Woolas (Minister of State for borders and immigration) outlined his proposals for the "transitional arrangements" for those already with Indefinite Leave to Remain (or having applied for ILR). The commencement date for the changeover from the present system to the new "probationary citizenship" pathway is July 2011. He proposed that those on ILR (or having applied for it) at that time will be able to apply for citizenship under the old rules.
I noticed that Chris Huhne (Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department) made some very scathing remarks about this bill: "This bill proves that quantity does not equal quality" "...inaccessible and ill thoughtout" "...a pudding without a theme" "...it's piecemeal legislation that results in many anomalies and inconsistencies" "...jigsaw puzzle legislation" "Another trust me, I'm a minister bill" "...a hotchpotch of provisions." And Damian Green (the shadow immigration minister) said there was "Severe disappointment" about this bill. Indeed, I agree with that view!
This is the third reading of this bill. I listened intently to the discussion and after all that time and effort, at 10pm the speaker announced that there isn't supposed to be debate after 10pm. So it looks like they will have to continue the debate another day. It was obvious that they were really trying to rush the bill through today. It sure doesn't seem like the right way to go about making changes to laws.
Related post from my blog:
Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill: Children of British mothers (lots of comments from people in the same situation)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tougher rules to gain British citizenship
Immigrants who want to become British will need to pass more tests to prove their worth under citizenship plans.
The Home Office bill will make foreign nationals go through a period of probation, including learning English. Foreign nationals waiting to become British will not be eligible for some benefits and will face a wait of up to 10 years to become citizens.
Prospective British citizens would need to have lived and worked in the UK for at least five years and then spend at least one "probationary" year proving their worth.
(link via BBC News)
Strengthening the rules for citizenship: Home Office
The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill changes the rules for aspiring citizens, requiring hard work and rewarding volunteerism.
The bill makes the process of attaining British citizenship longer and more difficult.
It would require all immigrants who wish to gain British citizenship to learn to speak English, and to obey the law. But it would also speed up the citizenship process for those who contribute to the community through hard work and volunteerism.
In addition, the bill would:
remedy the situation whereby a father of a child born abroad before 1961 can pass on his British nationality while a mother cannot
While I can understand the concern for foreigners living in Britain finding out they will have to wait longer to be granted citizenship under these government proposals, I'm personally very annoyed that the last part of the bill hasn't already been put through parliament. My mother is English but I was born before 1961 so I am obviously keen for this bill to be approved so that I can claim British citizenship (which I'm entitled to!).
What are your thoughts about the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill? Do you think it's a good idea to make it tougher for immigrants to become British citizens? Are you a foreigner living in the UK? Are you considering becoming a citizen?
It's been reported that Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, wants every migrant looking to settle in the UK to apply for citizenship. I wonder if this might put migrants off coming to the UK. What do you think?
Related posts from my blog:
Children of British mothers: proposed changes to citizenship law!
Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill: Children of British mothers (be sure and read all the comments about this issue - it helps to know there are others in the same situation and we can offer support and advice to each other - and feel free to add your own comments)
Related link from the web:
UK Border Agency: British citizenship (how you can apply for British citizenship)
Friday, December 5, 2008
Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill: Children of British mothers
There are important changes to citizenship rules in the news.
I am particularly interested in the part of the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill that applies to children of British mothers (my mother is British):
Implement a firm but fair system - with measures including a new duty for the UKBA to safeguard the welfare of children; and to ensure fairness in nationality cases by removing the historical cut-off point for enabling children of British mothers born before 1961 to become British themselves, and enabling those serving overseas in the armed forces to register their children as British.
This means that children born to British mothers before 1961 (as I was) will be able to apply for citizenship.
This is obviously very welcome news but I'm annoyed that the law won't be changed immediately since it is so obviously discriminatory. Up until 2002, if you had a British father, you got a right to citizenship, but not if you had a British mother. In 2002, they changed that law, but only backdated it to 1961. How on earth they got away with such a discriminatory law to begin with is truly baffling. And even now, it is going to take more time to change the archaic law and make the nationality system fair!
This is from the Home Office website:
Children of British mothers
There have been reports of a change in the law to give British nationality to people born before February 1961 whose mothers were born in the UK. In fact, any change will not take place before late 2009 and the people concerned will need to register with the UK Border Agency before becoming eligible for a passport.
At present, only children born on or after 1st January 1983 can automatically be British solely because of their mother's birth in the UK.
Related posts from my blog:
Children of British mothers: proposed changes to citizenship law!
Guardian's Liberty Clinic - query about British citizenship
Changes to the law on citizenship: Children of British mothers
An Open Letter to my Readers
I am particularly interested in the part of the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill that applies to children of British mothers (my mother is British):
Implement a firm but fair system - with measures including a new duty for the UKBA to safeguard the welfare of children; and to ensure fairness in nationality cases by removing the historical cut-off point for enabling children of British mothers born before 1961 to become British themselves, and enabling those serving overseas in the armed forces to register their children as British.
This means that children born to British mothers before 1961 (as I was) will be able to apply for citizenship.
This is obviously very welcome news but I'm annoyed that the law won't be changed immediately since it is so obviously discriminatory. Up until 2002, if you had a British father, you got a right to citizenship, but not if you had a British mother. In 2002, they changed that law, but only backdated it to 1961. How on earth they got away with such a discriminatory law to begin with is truly baffling. And even now, it is going to take more time to change the archaic law and make the nationality system fair!
This is from the Home Office website:
Children of British mothers
There have been reports of a change in the law to give British nationality to people born before February 1961 whose mothers were born in the UK. In fact, any change will not take place before late 2009 and the people concerned will need to register with the UK Border Agency before becoming eligible for a passport.
At present, only children born on or after 1st January 1983 can automatically be British solely because of their mother's birth in the UK.
Related posts from my blog:
Children of British mothers: proposed changes to citizenship law!
Guardian's Liberty Clinic - query about British citizenship
Changes to the law on citizenship: Children of British mothers
An Open Letter to my Readers
Friday, August 15, 2008
Children of British mothers: proposed changes to citizenship law!
My mother is British but I haven't been able to claim British citizenship because the law as it stands, discriminates based on gender and age.
The 2002 Nationality and Immigration Act allows the foreign-born children of British women born after 7 Feb 1961 to register as citizens.
I was born before that date so I am being discriminated against due to my age, and my mother is being discriminated against because of her gender since British men can pass on their citizenship no matter when their child was born.
Last year, an American lady who lives in England (and has a British mother like I do), started a petition - which I signed of course - to try and get the 2002 NIA changed to remove the gender and age discrimination - but sadly her attempt didn't succeed.
Since then, I have been putting off applying for British citizenship because I was considering doing my own political/legal battle about this blatant age and gender discrimination when lo and behold, I found (fantastic!) news on the Home Office (The UK Border Agency) website Children of British mothers - proposed changes :
The government plans to introduce an amendment to allow people born before the 1961 date to register under this section. The proposals will be introduced in the Citizenship, Immigration and Borders Bill in December 2008. The Bill will be debated in Parliament from December and so, if this proposal becomes law, it is unlikely to come into effect until late 2009.
Okay, it will take a while to go through Parliament but still, I am thrilled! The fees* to apply for British citizenship are quite expensive (and I resent the idea since my mother is English) so I will wait for this law to be changed and then I will acquire British citizenship by descent. I'm entitled to it!
*The required Life in the UK Test costs £34 , and the application for Naturalisation as a British citizen costs £655.
Related post from my blog:
Borders, Immigration & Citizenship Bill: Children of British mothers
Changes to the law on citizenship: Children of British mothers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
