the3million Sues Home Office Over EU Residency Rights

The campaign group the3million filed a lawsuit against the UK Home Office in the High Court on November 7, 2026, alleging the government breached the Brexit withdrawal agreement. The legal challenge targets a policy that stripped nearly 1,500 EU citizens of their rights to live in the UK after the Home Office claimed their pre-settled status had been granted in error.

According to the claim, the government removed these residency rights without providing mandatory procedural protections, including proportionality assessments and the right to appeal. A large portion of those affected were Brazilian Italians who were initially denied status because they lacked Italian passports, despite being citizens by birth. Although the Home Office reversed that specific passport policy in October 2026, the3million is seeking a court declaration that the broader grant in error policy is unlawful.

Monique Hawkins, acting CEO of the3million, argued that the government is denying people the safeguards guaranteed by the withdrawal agreement. The Home Office declined to comment on the proceedings.