Humza Yusuf launches Scottish citizenship draft rules. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA
Scots are still free to live or work in England without border controls after independence, according to the plan unveiled by Humza Yousaf, despite the decision being made by the UK government.
< p>The Scottish Government Citizenship Report states that separate Scotland will become part of the «long-standing common travel area» (CTA) that currently exists between the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
He insisted that «there is no contradiction» between the SNP's plans to encourage a massive influx of foreign immigrants, agreeing to free movement under EU membership and having an open border with England.
But adding Scotland to the CTA would need to be negotiated with the UK government , and experts have warned that this obligation is contrary to the EU's Schengen area with free movement.
The latter requires the creation of an external hard border with countries that are not members, including the UK after Brexit.
The US Secretary of State will renounce his British citizenship
Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh, the First Minister said he would renounce his British citizenship, despite the fact that the document clearly stated that the Scots could keep it if they wanted to after independence. People could also opt out of obtaining Scottish citizenship.
However, the paper insisted that anyone with Scottish citizenship could move freely south of the border to live or work, regardless of the UK's points-based immigration system.
British living in Scotland «at the time of independence» will automatically be entitled to citizenship, it says, along with those born north of the border but living elsewhere.
People whose parents were born in Scotland can also apply for citizenship and those who previously lived there. at least 10 years. In addition, foreign nationals who have lived five years north of the border may qualify for the allowance.
Theoretically, this would allow former US President Donald Trump to claim citizenship, since his mother was born in Scotland.
Scotland back to burgundy passports
Mr Yusuf also said that Scotland would revert to maroon passports after independence in a bid to copy the EU and gain faster entry into the bloc.
The report says a stand-alone Scottish passport will meet the «recommended layout, size and bloom» of the EU, despite warnings from experts that it could take years to join.< /p>
Duncan Henderson, a research fellow at the Institute of Public Administration, tweeted: «An independent Scotland plans to join the Common Travel Area, which will allow citizens travel, live and work freely in the British Isles.”
«This is contrary to the requirement to join the Schengen area as part of EU accession, but the Scottish government believes that it will be refused.»
Despite the fact that experts warn against using Ireland as a precedent, given the special circumstances unrest, the plan pushed for Scotland to make a similar deal that would allow free movement within both the UK and the EU.
“Scotland to be part of this CTA as an independent country, just as it is now part of the UK,” the plan says.
It adds: “Under the CTA, Scottish citizens will be able to maintain the same mutual rights in the UK and Ireland as it is now.
“Ireland is part of the CTA and a member of the EU. Upon re-entry into the EU, Scotland will continue to be part of the CTA as well as the European single market, benefiting from the free movement of people.»
The deal will be done «on the same terms as Ireland»
The plan stated that Scotland would seek an agreement «on the same footing as Ireland» meaning that it would not establish a hard line «on its land, sea and air frontiers with Britain and Ireland».
Disclosure In the document, Mr Yousaf said he would welcome any survivors from England who wish to move to Scotland in order to regain EU citizenship.
The First Minister said: “We have demographic problems, we have vacancies in a number of important sectors, private and public. We are already working to bring more people from the UK to Scotland.”
Mr Yousaf said the adoption of burgundy passports could mean an «easier process» for joining the EU. The plan said they would also follow the bloc's «standards and specifications».
When asked if he would retain his British citizenship, he said: «I haven't thought much about it, but probably not , no, just my Scottish citizenship.»
Donald Cameron, Shadow Constitutional Secretary for the Scottish Tories, said: «People across Scotland will be shocked that Humza Yousaf is focusing on yet another self-indulgent newspaper advertising independence. This is the wrong priority at the most inopportune moment.
“Not only is this article a blatant misuse of public money and resources by the SNP, but it also demonstrates how out of touch with the public they are. ”
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