This awful story stems from an aspect of our citizenship law that is not well understood - people can be born here and live their whole lives here without acquiring British citizenship, if neither parent is a citizen https://twitter.com/nataliesedacca/status/1280577130393468929

Typically, as in this case, this happens when neither parent was a citizen or permanent resident when the child was born.Often, as in this case, the individuals in question think they are citizens and have no idea the government thinks otherwise until the Home Office notices them

The rise in immigration since the late 1990s means the number of young adults in this situation is currently rising very fast. Thousands of predominantly black and Asian young people who have lived their whole lives here but lack citizenship

Until and unless the rules change - as they should - to give people so have lived here since birth automatic citizenship - we will see more young black lives wrecked by our citizenship rules and our Home Office.

The government and Home Secretary recently promised to “learn the lessons” of Windrush. Here’s three changes to make that more than a platitude:
1. Automatic citizenship for children born & raised here
2. Slash fees for acquiring residence & citizenship

3. End the “guilty until proven innocent” culture of the Home Office which has blighted and continues to blight every aspect of immigration and citizenship administration