- K
Hello,
My name is Jamie. I'm an American citizen and I've been living in the UK now for 10 years-- I moved here when I was 23 years old.
It's been a rather long and hard ten years, to be totally honest-- in those ten years, I have developed PTSD and HIV and my current visa is Indefinite Leave to Remain as the Victim of Domestic Violence by a British Citizen.
One of the most ironic (if you can call it that) aspects of this terribly difficult time in my life is I have an English and Political Science degree from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, and as an American citizen, even with the permanent right to live in the UK, and having worked my entire adult life in this country, I lack the right to vote.
What stands between me and the right to vote in this country is one last step-- paying for citizenship.
I have now spent over £10,000 over the last 10 years in visa and lawyer fees to stay in this country and even working full time I simply can't afford this last hurdle. I'm having to choose between paying for the PTSD recovery help I need OR my citizenship, which is a precarious position to be in. My health should come first, but to feel truly secure, I also need citizenship.
So, I am asking help-- for one last push over the top.
*****
The fee as of April 2018 is £1330 + £80 (ceremony) + £50 (life in the UK test). I am asking for £1500 because the Home Office increases these fees annually and we are due a published increase any day now.
*****
I know we're at a moment when every vote matters-- so if you want a guaranteed vote for candidates who are:
1) Pro-Europe
My father was born in a refugee camp in 1947 Germany-- you don't have to tell me twice that remaining in the European Union is one of the most important things we can do as a country. I will vote to remain in the EU in any future referendum.
2) Anti-Hostile Environment / Pro-Immigration
3) Pro Climate Action
4) Pro a fully publicly owned NHS
Help me over the last and unfortunately highest hurdle facing me now.
Help me join you in what I believe is my civic duty to my fellow British residents.
Help me finally become British.
~Jamie
My name is Jamie. I'm an American citizen and I've been living in the UK now for 10 years-- I moved here when I was 23 years old.
It's been a rather long and hard ten years, to be totally honest-- in those ten years, I have developed PTSD and HIV and my current visa is Indefinite Leave to Remain as the Victim of Domestic Violence by a British Citizen.
One of the most ironic (if you can call it that) aspects of this terribly difficult time in my life is I have an English and Political Science degree from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, and as an American citizen, even with the permanent right to live in the UK, and having worked my entire adult life in this country, I lack the right to vote.
What stands between me and the right to vote in this country is one last step-- paying for citizenship.
I have now spent over £10,000 over the last 10 years in visa and lawyer fees to stay in this country and even working full time I simply can't afford this last hurdle. I'm having to choose between paying for the PTSD recovery help I need OR my citizenship, which is a precarious position to be in. My health should come first, but to feel truly secure, I also need citizenship.
So, I am asking help-- for one last push over the top.
*****
The fee as of April 2018 is £1330 + £80 (ceremony) + £50 (life in the UK test). I am asking for £1500 because the Home Office increases these fees annually and we are due a published increase any day now.
*****
I know we're at a moment when every vote matters-- so if you want a guaranteed vote for candidates who are:
1) Pro-Europe
My father was born in a refugee camp in 1947 Germany-- you don't have to tell me twice that remaining in the European Union is one of the most important things we can do as a country. I will vote to remain in the EU in any future referendum.
2) Anti-Hostile Environment / Pro-Immigration
3) Pro Climate Action
4) Pro a fully publicly owned NHS
Help me over the last and unfortunately highest hurdle facing me now.
Help me join you in what I believe is my civic duty to my fellow British residents.
Help me finally become British.
~Jamie