Apology
In the face of growing pressure, after the Prime Minister’s office had originally declined a meeting, Theresa May apologised to Caribbean leaders today for the treatment of Windrush citizens and stated that
“Those who arrived from the Caribbean before 1973 and lived here permanently without significant periods of time away in the last 30 years have the right to remain in the UK. As do the vast majority of long-term residents who arrived later, and I don’t want anybody to be in any doubt about their right to remain here in the United Kingdom.”
This follows on from Amber Rudd’s unprecedented apology in the House of Commons yesterday where she said
“Frankly, how they have been treated has been wrong – has been appalling – and I am sorry.”
Advice
The Home Office has also released a guide for Commonwealth citizens (Windrush cases) who are long-term residents of the UK and do not have documents to demonstrate their status. It explains their position and what they need to do next and provides a phone number to contact (0300 123 2241): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/undocumented-commonwealth-citizens-resident-in-the-uk/undocumented-commonwealth-citizens-resident-in-the-uk