Key facts
- Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old British widow, faces deportation from Sweden.
- She has resided in Sweden for 21 years.
- Thomas lost an appeal against the Swedish Migration Agency's decision.
- She moved to Sweden in 2003.
- Her case highlights concerns about the EU-UK withdrawal agreement's impact on British nationals in the EU.
- Thomas has strong ties to Sweden, including her late husband's family and social network.
Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old British widow, is facing deportation from Sweden after residing in the country for 21 years. She has lost an appeal against the Swedish Migration Agency's decision to revoke her residency permit. Thomas, who moved to Sweden in 2003, has built a life there, including her late husband's family and her own social connections. Her case brings to light the complexities and potential hardships faced by British nationals living in EU member states following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. The EU-UK withdrawal agreement governs the rights of citizens, and its implementation has led to various challenges for individuals like Thomas. The Swedish Migration Agency's decision, upheld on appeal, means Thomas must leave Sweden. This situation underscores the broader concerns about how the withdrawal agreement is being applied and its consequences for long-term residents who are citizens of the UK but have established their lives within the EU.