So, yesterday it was the anniversary of my arrival into the UK when I chose it as my home. 17 years ago. I studied, worked, made friends, married, had a child, moved across cities and nations in the union. I can recognise most regional accents, I get all Brit comedy . 1)

I read and teach English literature. I am a British citizen. But there is nothing you can do to stop the system reminding you that you do not belong. Today, as I reached for my Saturday paper by the postbox I get a letter from HM passport office 2)

The letter was about my application to renew my son’s British passport ( he was born in the uk 5 years ago). Well, the letter tells me that not all children born from EU parents have the right to citizenship 3)

And that anyway the child does not appear to have a British parent. So they require more documents from my husband when he was a student years ago and yes, they ask proof of his private Health insurance at the time 4)

There was no such thing , because as EU citizens we had right for health care in the uk. So they ask for something we are unlikely to have. And also, in the application they asked I submit any other valid passports my son has. 5)

So I sent his British passport about to expire and his valid Italian passport. Guess what : they are retaining both till they process his application. What they call “ application for British passport”. But no, that was an application for renewal! 6)

So here we are, reminded of conditional hospitality. I have now to prove my right and my son’s right to be British. I have to prove a right he already had. In the meantime, while they make up their mind, they sit on his documents. 7)

Will it take weeks, months, a new fresh application, a lawyer? And so more time spent justifying why we are here. I see people leave the UK and think they are brave to start all over again elsewhere, but I understand. 8)

Friends, colleagues please share and advice, I am tired! @alison_phipps @nandosigona @ColinYeo1 @AlaSirriyeh @MigrantVoiceUK @mryahbut and you @HM_Passport can you clarify ? Sick of the #HostileEnvironment

Thanks all for the solidarity. I will write to my MP @AaronBell4NUL tomorrow.