I've had a response from Layla Moran's office to my email about the government planning to use e-Visas for immigration raids.
"Dear Ray,
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns about e-Visas.
As Co-President of The European Movement, Layla is deeply concerned by the growing number of cases where EU citizens have faced severe consequences due to errors or failures in the Home Office’s digital system. As you rightly point out, problems with proving immigration status can affect everything from healthcare access and housing to employment and education, all of which are fundamental rights people should be able to rely on.
We have heard of real-life experiences which highlight a system that is failing in both transparency and reliability, and we agree that this must be urgently addressed. The Liberal Democrats agree with Settled that a status system that leaves people in limbo, unable to prove their right to live, work, or access essential services in the UK, is not fit for purpose.
We believe EU citizens deserve a secure, reliable and inclusive form of proof of status. The Home Office must take urgent steps to restore confidence in the system, including commissioning an independent review into the operation of the eVisa platform and ensuring there are accessible backup forms of status available. Everyone who has the legal right to be in the UK should be able to prove it easily and consistently.
We continue to call for stronger UK–EU relations that go beyond the instability and bureaucracy of recent years, including by supporting Early Day Motion 1318. This EDM welcomes the progress made at this week’s UK–EU Summit, but also expresses concern that there is still much more to be done, not least on restoring people’s mobility rights and addressing the red tape many now face.
We greatly appreciate the work that Settled has done and continues to do. Please rest assured that Layla and her Liberal Democrat colleagues will keep pressing the Government to show greater ambition in resetting our relationship with Europe and to ensure that those who live, work, and contribute to communities in the UK, including long-standing EU residents, are treated with the dignity and security they deserve.
Thank you again for getting in touch.
Best wishes,
Office of Layla Moran
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Oxford West & Abingdon "