Shane Ridge was born in the UK, completed his GCSEs and got an apprenticeship as a joiner. However, the British government is asking him to leave. The 21-year-old recently received a letter from Immigration Enforcement which informed him that, according to its records, he has 'no lawful basis to be in the UK'.
Shane has been told he'll face a maximum £5,000 ($6,480) fine or six months in jail if he doesn't leave the country. He reckons the only reason authorities might have targeted him was because his mum was born in Australia when his grandparents were on a holiday. However, she has since become a British citizen.
"I'm confused and worried that I'll have to leave my entire family behind and move to a country that I don't know," said Shane. "I don't understand it because I was born in the UK. I did my GCSEs here, I've worked, I pay tax and national insurance.
Credit: Mercury Press
"Me and my girlfriend rented a house, I vote, I use the NHS and opened a bank account without any problems, ever.
"Nothing has ever flagged up that I don't have British citizenship until I went to apply for a passport last year to go on holiday with my girlfriend and my application was declined."
He applied for an Australian passport and was accepted on the basis of his mum's heritage, but he now needs to play a waiting game with UK authorities on whether he'll be granted dual citizenship or right of abode.
Credit: Mercury Press
However, he's more concerned that the letter says: "The Home Office is working with other organisations, including the NHS and the DVLA, to stop access to benefits and services for those with no lawful basis to be in the UK. This includes you."
His driving licence has also been revoked.
Credit: Mercury Press
Shane is also confused by the timing of the letter, considering he's been to the doctor and set up a joint bank account with his girlfriend with no issues in the past. He is worried it will affect his ability to live a normal life as well as continue his apprenticeship.
According to The Sun, the Home Office is declining to comment on the matter as it's an ongoing case.
Featured Image Credit: Mercury PressTopics: Home Office, UK, Britain