Securing EUSS status as a teenager: Raluca’s story
I moved to the UK from Romania when I was 13, joining my mother who was already living here. It was 2022, during the pandemic and shortly before Brexit.
I moved to the UK from Romania when I was 13, joining my mother who was already living here. It was 2022, during the pandemic and shortly before Brexit.
When lockdown restrictions eased, my mother enrolled me in school. She found it straight forward even though she doesn’t speak much English.
Around this time, I noticed the Government’s campaign about applying to the EUSS because of Brexit. Initially I didn’t think this was relevant to me as I was only 13 and as my mum was OK to live in the UK, I thought I was too. I even joked to my friends about being sent home.
But as time went on, I started to question if maybe EUSS did apply to me. I started to really worry that I might have to leave my mum and school and go back to Romania .
It was hard finding the information I needed. I asked friends’ parents and teachers for advice while my mother asked people in the Romanian community. We were all on Google trying to find out information.
Eventually a friend in the Romanian community told me that I did need to make an EUSS application and helped me to do it. I got pre-settled status quickly.
But I was still anxious. I didn’t want to leave the UK in case I had problems coming back. I was also unsure how to answer questions about my status on my UCAS application form.
Eventually I got settled status and I don’t worry anymore. I’m now studying at university in London and enjoy my life in the UK.
I think I was lucky to arrive here at the time of the Government’s EUSS awareness campaign. Without that I might not have known I needed to get immigration status as a child.
Many parent in the Romanian community are unaware. They can send their children to school and register them with the GP easily. It’s only at a social event like a BBQ when someone mentions papers that people start thinking about their child or baby’s immigration status.
I think the Government could contact parents to tell them that their children may need EUSS status.
I’m trying to do what I can to help. I volunteer at the Roma Support Group and I’m helping the IMA to raise awareness around the issue.