After the decision for Britain to leave the EU, Greek nationals, who have been living in the UK for a long time, have started to reassess their options quickly. Many Greeks are now seeking urgent legal advice relating to their status in the country.
Many sought after legal advice immediately after parliament announced that Britain would leave the EU. Aristotelis Tsallios was one of them. He has lived in London for the last 18 years and spoke with a migration officer. After talking to the advisor, he announced that he would try to apply for citizenship to stay in Britain very quickly. Since his time in London, he has earned three higher educational degrees as well as the opportunity to launch his business consultancy.
Applying for citizenship had never occurred to Mr. Tsallios until recent events, as he never felt that he needed it. Now he's realized that he might.
Mr. Tsallios is one of the thousands of people that will rush to apply for citizenship in light of recent news. The amount of applications for citizenship is set to soar. It's thought that many Greeks want to apply for permanent stay rights before any new legislation is finalized put into action.
Along with others, Mr. Tsallios said that he could feel the division that the referendum created just hours after the result was released. He tells the story of an experience at London train station. He explained how a man started to push and shout at people as they were leaving the train, hurling comments such as 'we don't want you anymore, leave, do you understand? Enough!'
In his long 18 years of residing in London, Mr. Tsallios had never heard someone speak so rudely in front of a large crowd. He stated that it was the firs time he felt like a foreigner in someone else's home.
Britain's EU exit has left many uncertain, especially those without citizenship. Only time will tell how foreigners will be affected by the changes in the future.