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an email to: britcits@gmail.com

June 2014

To the most amazing and resilient people we at BritCits know - a HUGE hello.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Big Day is coming up.

9th July 2014 represents the two year anniversary of UK's family migration rules, be they be
impacting partners or parents, with the ramifications so often felt by children. There are three events
happening on this day in London - kids are welcome. Please register your interest in one or all events
here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-day-tickets-11930834447

1) APPG on Migration meeting organised by MRN.
10am - 1130am in Portcullis House, Westminster, London
Please be there earlier to ensure you get through security - think airport style.

2) Demo organised by Divided Families (BritCits, JCWI and MRN) in line with that held last year.
Please bring banners, posters, photos of family members and your loud booming voices. You can
design your own, or use those here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.327596310729023&type=1&l=5f5cc429c0
12:30 - 1:30pm at Parliament Square

3) Adult Dependant Relative report launch
BritCits worked on this LCWI-led initiative to undertake research on the ADR rules and their impact.
6:30pm - 8pm, Committee Room 9, Houses of Parliament.
Please be there earlier to ensure you get through security - again, think airport style.

In the gap between events the base will be the Red Lion pub on Whitehall where there will be more
opportunity to mingle with those impacted by the rules. There is outside space so fine for kids too if
the weather is good, or there's a dining room where kids are welcome if food is to be ordered.
http://redlionwestminster.co.uk/

There's lots to do in the area whatever the weather, if spending the afternoon in a pub doesn't appeal.
The National Gallery at Trafalgar Square, Downing Street, Buckingham Palace and London Eye are
all within walking distance. Covent Garden isn't too far away either.

There's some talk of a few BC members getting together for a mirror event in Scotland - details to
come once finalised though this may well be with a delay as Holyrood is in recess at the time.




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MM CASE

What all of have been waiting to find out about: what is happening with the MM case? Simple
answer - no progress that we're aware of as yet. I kept thinking the next time you heard from us
regarding this, it would be with information on the judgment. Alas, not to be. However, as is the way
so often in life perhaps now that weve mentioned it, there will be news very soon!

The MM case challenges the financial requirements of the immigration rules as they affect spouses
and partners. There was a hearing in High Court last year and it went further up the ranks to Court of
Appeal in March this year. If the judge fulfils his promise, we should hear back by August, hopefully
sooner as the judges were made aware by the involved lawyers that cases are being put on hold and
consequently, so are families.

However they have tons of documents to read - amount of evidence against the rules is mind-
boggling, as we all know. So as much as we are all itching to hear something, just a little more
patience needed to ensure judges can really get to grips with how damaging the rules are. My gut feel
is that the judges are sympathetic but the case is likely to go to the Supreme Court, so however
favourable the judgment might be, this may well not be the end yet.

An overview of the Court of Appeal hearing here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/229037558/MM-Case-
Overview and for a more techie read go to: http://43templerow.co.uk/affluent-people-likely-integrate-better-
poor-people where the lawyers have expressed their thanks to BritCits members (you!) for sharing your
experience of the rules which has allowed them to better demonstrate the devastation they are causing
and thus hopefully lead to changing them.

EU FREE MOVEMENT

Some of you have moved to another member state within the EU. We wish you the best of luck and
hope youre able to make the most of your adventure. Malta is an increasingly favoured destination
and Ireland continues to be popular. France has proven a little bureaucratic for some whilst Eastern
Europe is being discussed more because it's cheaper. Please continue to share your experiences and
let us know if you'd like to arrange an overseas meetup. There have been a few in Ireland over the
last year or so and some very good friendships are being forged. Lots of help and tips available
online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/650212281695959/

A handful have completed their stints in other member states and are back home well done! It's
encouraging to see more of us defeating the Home Office in their attempt to break up our families or
keep us in exile. This route is not a solution for all however, and it's not one we should be forced to go
down at all. So while the battle with the HO rages on, it's heartening that for some family
reunification is possible. Please don't forget that many others are stranded, so continue to support the
campaign and strengthen it by giving your non-EEA family members a voice too.

Centre of Life is causing an enormous amount of debate amongst Surinder Singhers. More on this
soon. In the meantime, one of the most useful things you could do is look through the Family Permit
and Residence Card application forms for the member state you are wanting to exercise your treaty
rights in, and UK. Bear in mind these forms may change at the point you need to use them, but they
are a good guide as to supporting documents required.

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SURVEY

If you haven't already, please complete the attached survey - it closes this month and allows us to a)
fill gaps in our database b) collect updated stats to see which if any groups are disproportionately
being discriminated against c) see where any of you may be able to help d) arrange meetups in your
local area. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TS3WLXQ

OTHER NEWS

ADR: We are considering challenging the ADR rules. Watch this space!

CJC Bill: BC made a written submission on the CJC Bill, which is yet another attempt by politicians
to make access to justice a privilege rather than a right. Written in the classic conversational style we
at BC seem to prefer:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmpublic/criminaljustice/memo/cjc41.htm

Office of Children's Commissioner: BritCits is part of a panel working with the OCC on research
regarding the impact of UK's family immigration rules on children.

Portfolio of stories: This will be updated over the summer.

Look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on 9th July and dont be shy, come and say hello
to Steven and myself.

Sonel Mehta