‘It’s like a death sentence’ says British widow facing deportation from Sweden

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Published: 2026-09-09T05:11:25.646Z • Permanent link

Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old British widow, is facing deportation from Sweden due to her British citizenship being revoked following the UK's exit from the EU. Thomas, who has lived in Sweden for over 40 years, has been receiving a state pension and other benefits from the Swedish government, but her citizenship was revoked under the UK's immigration rules. According to reports, Thomas had been living in Sweden since 1979, and she has been a resident of the country for over four decades. She has stated that she has been a law-abiding citizen and has never applied for Swedish citizenship.

The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) has confirmed that Thomas's citizenship was revoked due to the UK's decision to leave the EU, which led to a re-evaluation of British citizens' rights in Sweden. The agency stated that Thomas's situation is a result of the UK's failure to notify the EU of its intention to leave the EU before the Brexit deadline, which led to a loss of EU citizenship for British citizens living in EU member states. The UK government has denied that it is responsible for the loss of citizenship, citing the EU's own rules and regulations.

Thomas's situation has sparked widespread criticism from human rights groups and organizations that advocate for the rights of migrants and refugees. The British government has been accused of failing to protect its citizens' rights in the EU, and Thomas's case has raised questions about the impact of Brexit on the lives of British citizens living in other EU countries. The Swedish government has offered Thomas temporary residency, but she has refused, stating that she wants to fight her case in the Swedish courts.

The case of Joyce Thomas has significant implications for the Data Sources domain, particularly for research communities and markets that rely on EU data and institutions. The loss of EU citizenship for British citizens living in EU member states has raised concerns about the impact on data collection and analysis, as well as the potential disruption to research collaborations and funding streams. The Swedish government's offer of temporary residency to Thomas has highlighted the challenges faced by EU citizens who are now living in non-EU countries, and the need for more effective protection and support mechanisms.

The impact of Brexit on Data Sources is not limited to the UK and Sweden. The loss of EU citizenship for British citizens living in other EU countries has raised concerns about the potential disruption to research collaborations and funding streams, particularly in the fields of science and technology. The European Research Council (ERC) has issued a statement expressing its concern about the impact of Brexit on EU research funding, and calling on the UK government to ensure that British researchers and scientists continue to have access to EU funding opportunities. The case of Joyce Thomas has highlighted the need for more effective protection and support mechanisms for EU citizens who are now living in non-EU countries.

The case of Joyce Thomas is part of a broader pattern of challenges faced by EU citizens who are now living in non-EU countries. The Brexit referendum in 2016 saw a significant increase in the number of EU citizens living in the UK, and many of these individuals are now facing uncertainty about their rights and status. The Swedish government's offer of temporary residency to Thomas has highlighted the challenges faced by EU citizens who are now living in non-EU countries, and the need for more effective protection and support mechanisms.