Brexit Fallout: EU nationals fear for future but UK says it wants them to stay

World
Europe

03:28

Deal, or no deal, the British government says it wants the 3.5 million EU nationals in the UK to stay. A new campaign is underway that would allow them to continue living and working in the country, post Brexit. But as CGTN's Hannah Hoexter reports, not everyone is welcoming the move.

Michele, a store supervisor at this Italian Deli in London is one of the over 1.2 million Europeans living in the capital.

MICHELE PAOLETTI EU CITIZEN "I came here in 2014, so it's 5 years last January. Obviously, this is my new home. I'm happy here, I have a family here - a little child and expecting a second one soon too. So we would like to stay here as long as possible."

With people like Michele in mind, the UK government is launching a multi-million dollar media campaign, to encourage EU nationals to secure their post-Brexit status and register for permanent settlement.

MICHELE PAOLETTI EU CITIZEN "I'm going to apply on the 31st of March. I'm going to apply on the Android app the government told us to use."

The majority of Michele's co-workers must also apply, leaving their boss worried about staffing levels:

MASSIMO LOPEZ STORE OWNER "For sure, I believe it could be a problem starting from the 30th March, if someone wants to come into the UK, they need to apply for the scheme. Obviously, it's going to be hard. Already for me as a business owner, I am struggling to find good staff."

HANNAN HOEXTER LONDON "For many hundreds of thousands of EU citizens, the process is likely to be fairly straightforward. But there is concern that many could fall through the cracks, potentially leaving them with no lawful right to remain in the UK."

Campaigners say the consequences of failing to register will be extreme and there is unease about vulnerable citizens.

LUKE PIPER IMMIGRATION LAWYER "You will become a victim to the hostile environment of the UK. What does that mean? It means you could potentially face being removed, you could not be able to work, access health care services, not open a bank account, rent or buy a car."

Some EU nationals who came together after the Brexit vote to campaign for their rights are worried and angry.

NICOLAS HATTON THE 3 MILLION, CO-FOUNDER "It's very irresponsible for a country to change the status of people who already live here. This is our home, we live here, we have had babies and build our family. We loved it here, now we're told: you're not like us."

However, other EU citizens are embracing the new settlement scheme. One of them is Veronique Marvian who has lived in the UK for 20 years and runs a profitable business in European treats.

VERONIQUE MARVIAN CHOCOLATIER "I'm aware of all the new rules. So I'll just apply to be able to stay here and carry on with my business. And after, to apply for British citizenship."

For some people caught up in the Brexit drama, the EU settlement scheme is just a bureaucratic burden.

Hannah Hoexter, CGTN, London.