Emma DeSouza and Jake DeSouza have forced a change in UK immigration law.Emma DeSouza, Facebook

Emma DeSouza, a native of Co Derry in Northern Ireland, has been fighting to be recognized as Irish after she tried to get citizenship for her American husband Jake in 2015.

All people born in Northern Ireland will now be treated as European Union citizens for immigration purposes after a successful yet lengthy legal challenge by Co Derry native Emma and her American husband Jake DeSouza.

Read More: Derry woman says US husband is being held hostage over her “Irish” status

Emma DeSouza announced the news in a tweet on May 14:

In 2015, Northern Ireland native Emma married California native Jake DeSouza in Belfast. In December of that year, Emma attempted to get Jake permanent residence in Northern Ireland through the UK Home Office. Emma, who says she has identified as Irish her entire life, applied under her Irish passport.

Her application was denied. As Emma explains, “Our application for a residence card was refused on the grounds that I am ‘automatically a British Citizen’ as I was ‘clearly born in the United Kingdom.’”

Emma argued that the Home Office’s decision to label her as British contradicts the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which says “the two governments recognize the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British or both, as they may so choose."

Read More: Co Derry woman who identifies as Irish is still British, argues UK Home Office

A legal battle ensued, but it was put to rest this week, at least for now, when the DeSouzas learned that anyone born in Northern Ireland will now be treated as EU citizens for immigration purposes.

On May 14, the DeSouzas issued a statement regarding the decision:

The couple wrote: “We are delighted to see the British Government move to fulfill their commitment to change the immigration rules as outlined in the ‘New Decade New Approach’ deal. These changes are on the back of years of campaigning for the full recognition of our right to be accepted as Irish or British or both under the Good Friday Agreement.

“We have always contended that no-one should be forced to adopt or renounce a citizenship in order to access rights, to do so goes against both the letter and the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, the Home Office now concedes that point. The changes to the immigration rules will have a positive impact on families across Northern Ireland and will provide a route to family reunification under the EU regulations whether that person identities as Irish or British or both. These changes will only apply to Northern Ireland and recognize the unique status that the region hold within the United Kingdom. Something that we have longed for.

“We personally know a number of families that will benefit from this change and are filled with joy and relief that these families will not face calls to renounce British citizenship or face years in court like we have.

“However, it is notable and disappointing that these changes are time limited, from August 24th until the end of the transition period. And what these changes don’t do is address the wider citizenship and identity issues that our case has uncovered. The failure of the British Government to give domestic legal effect to the birthright provisions of the Good Friday Agreement remains, and our unique right to be accepted as such is not represented in domestic paper, policy and practice - this has to change.

“The Government has conceded on the principle by bringing forth these changes, we now need them to go the extra mile and fulfill their obligations to the people of Northern Ireland. Without addressing the wider gap in legislation these changes, whilst enormously welcomed, may well be no more than a sticky plaster.

“We will be continuing with our legal team in regards to our ongoing legal challenge which is presently due to be reviewed by the Court of Appeal of Northern Ireland on June 25.

“We want to thank our legal team, Robert Crookery from MSM law, Helena Wilson and Ronan Lavery QC as well as Ireland’s Department of foreign affairs and all those who have supported us  in this challenge.”

According to BBC, the UK government committed to "change the rules governing how the people of Northern Ireland bring their family members to the UK" in January 2020, as part of the power-sharing deal that restored the Stormont institutions, but only now have the laws changed.

Read More: UK government undermines rights of Northern Ireland-born Irish citizens

On May 15, Emma thanked all those who helped them along the way, including Irish and American politicians:

The DeSouzas were met with messages of congratulations across social media.

Ireland’s Tanaiste Simon Coveney, who heads up Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, credited Emma for her determination:

Similarly, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the DeSouzas “well done:”

Daniel Mulhall, Ireland’s Ambassador to the US, said:

And Irish American US Representative Brendan Boyle also welcomed the news:

Read More: Derry woman challenging British citizenship court ruling meets with US leaders