Triggering Article 50 to Endanger Status of EU Migrants Arriving in UK

Post-Brexit status of migrants from EU states, who arrive in the United Kingdom after Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty is triggered, would be dependent on future arrangements the UK negotiates with the EU, according to a report of the British Future think tank.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The status of migrants from EU states, who arrive in the United Kingdom after Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty is triggered, will be unclear and will depend on Brexit negotiations, a report of the British Future think tank issued on Monday said.

"After Article 50 is triggered, EU citizens could still move to the UK under free movement rules until we leave the EU – but their post-Brexit status would be dependent on whatever future arrangements the UK negotiates with the EU," the think tanks said in a press release to the report based on evidence received from 33 experts and 36 organizations.

The report also called on the UK authorities to guarantee the right to settle in the United Kingdom for EU migrants already living in the country.

"The Inquiry’s report calls on the Government to make a clear public commitment that the 2.8 million Europeans in the UK can stay, and should be offered Permanent Residence with the same health, social and educational rights as British citizens," British Future said.

The report also recommended making significant changes in the application process for permanent residence, as under current system it would take 150 years to process applications of all EU citizens staying now in the United Kingdom.

On June 23, the United Kingdom chose in a referendum to leave the European Union. UK Prime Minister Theresa May stated that the country would trigger Article 50 of the EU Lisbon Treaty by the end of March 2017, thus starting withdrawal negotiations.