Separating families – The impact of Brexit
When David first came to RMC in December 2023, we met a man who was quietly determined but clearly burdened by his situation. An EU national, he had been living and working full-time in the UK for over six years, supporting his young son on an annual income of just over £24,000. He thought that his steady job and contributions to the UK would make bringing his wife, Beth, to join them straightforward. But the reality after Brexit was very different.
The new threshold
Because David and Beth married after Brexit, the easier routes for EU nationals to bring family members over were closed to them. Instead, David had to sponsor his wife through a family visa — a process filled with strict rules, especially the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR), which is fixed at £29,000 to sponsor a partner/wife to the UK, the MIR was higher than his earnings. This fixed threshold didn’t take into account his individual circumstances — the years of paying taxes, his settled life in the UK, or the emotional well-being of his son missing his mum.
As we worked on his case, important questions came up: Why does the system put up such high financial barriers for families trying to be together? Is it right to put a price on the right to family life, effectively penalising those who earn less?
Over the next few months, we worked closely with David, navigating the complicated application process. The paperwork required was extensive, and the rules allowed little flexibility. Each step highlighted just how challenging the system is — a system that seemed more focused on deterring applicants than helping families reunite.
An emotional strain
It wasn’t until July 2024 that we reached the point where we could submit the application—a full seven months after David sought our help, and much longer since his family had been separated. During this time, we witnessed the emotional strain on David and his son. The prolonged wait made us wonder: How many families suffer unnecessary hardship because of slow-moving bureaucracy? What impact does this have on the mental health of children and spouses kept apart by these delays?
When the approval finally came in September, the relief was immense. Beth arrived in the UK soon after, and their reunion was a moment of great joy — a powerful reminder of why we do what we do for the family. Yet, even as we celebrated, there was a lingering sense of injustice. The obstacles David faced weren’t of his making but were imposed by a system that seems to value income over family bonds.
What does it mean?
Davids’s story highlights how current immigration policies can be punitive. The MIR, in its inflexibility, fails to consider individual situations and disproportionately affects hardworking people who contribute to society in ways that go beyond their income bracket. It compels us to ask: Should the right to family life depend on meeting arbitrary financial criteria? Is it fair to keep families apart because of rigid policies that don’t reflect the complexities of real life?
At RMC, we believe that stories like David’s shouldn’t be the norm. Families shouldn’t have to endure such arduous journeys to be together. The current system not only prolongs separation but also inflicts emotional and mental strain on individuals who have already contributed so much to society.
Witnessing David’s struggle and eventual success has strengthened our resolve to advocate for more compassionate and fair immigration policies. His story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the profound impact that supportive guidance can have. It also serves as a call to action — to challenge and change the systems that unnecessarily keep families apart.
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