MORE that 1,500 EU Nationals had their applications to stay in Bradford rejected following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Data, published by the Home Office, reveals 1,560 people originally from European Union nations but now living in the district have been told they can no longer stay.

They had applied to remain living in Bradford by September 30, either with settled or pre-settled status, but their applications were rejected.

This accounts for 4.1 per cent of all applications being rejected, the highest figure in West Yorkshire and the 16th highest proportion in the UK.

Of the 38,460 people who applied to stay in Bradford, 20,630 received settled status, for those who meet the Government’s criteria and have lived in the UK for five or more years and can now remain in Britain indefinitely.

A total of 14,050 received pre-settled status, having lived in the UK for less time, and can now stay for a further five years and later apply for full settled status.

A further 750 applications were withdrawn or voided, and 1,470 were classed as being invalid.

Slovakian nationals made the most applications, with more than 10,000, followed by applications from citizens of Poland (9,330) and Romania (3,080) who now live in the district.

Applicants who were unsuccessful can launch an appeal to challenge the result of their application.

Bradford saw the 44th most applications through the EU Settlement Scheme, with London Boroughs dominating the top of the list; Newham in east London saw the most applications with 137,080 and approved 96.9 per cent of them.

Mid Devon and Middlesbrough rejected the highest proportion of applications at 6.1 per cent.

The EU Settlement Scheme began in March 2019 to try and regulate the immigration status of EU citizens living in the UK, following the EU membership referendum result.

Campaign group The3Million, which fights for the rights of EU citizens, said it is concerned about applicants being “left in limbo” while their appeals are heard.

Monique Hawkins, policy and research officer at the3million, said many people had lost their job or rental opportunity while waiting for application and appeal outcomes.

She said: "Many people report not being able to get through to helplines, and find it next to impossible to get progress updates on their applications.

"For those who have been refused, the administrative review and appeals process face their own lengthy delays.

"We are extremely concerned about the length of time it is taking to unite people with their lawful status, and thereby their rights to continue living and working in the UK."

Though the scheme officially closed on June 30, EU citizens with limited reasonable grounds for missing the deadline can still apply to secure their rights.

The Home Office said people with a pending application, are protected while the outcome of their application is unknown.

A spokeswoman said the EU Settlement Scheme has been an "overwhelming success", with 6.3 million applications received and 5.5 million people being granted permission to stay so far.

She added: “Caseworkers will always look for reasons to grant rather than refuse.

"Individuals can be refused on eligibility or criminality grounds, and if a refused applicant disagrees with our decision, they can apply for an administrative review or appeal.

“We have published non-exhaustive guidance on reasonable grounds for making a late EUSS application and take a flexible and pragmatic approach to considering them, and we’ve made millions of pounds available in funding for organisations to support vulnerable applicants.”

Have you had your EU Settlement application rejected, and do you believe unfairly? If so, get in touch by emailing us here