Notwithstanding the 5-year barrier of continuous residence in Britain and the earnings barrier of 36,000 pounds per annum, which might benefit some, the others are faced with the grim prospect of exiting Britain in favour of another country like France or Germany. In all 27 countries including Portugal can be the destination for those exiting Britain. Pending the transition period which is two years to the Britain-exited from European Union and the language barrier, Goans with Portuguese passports in Britain, namely those who have to leave have little if any choice other than to leave Britain. In all likelihood the new dispensation in Britain will not favour even a slight sympathy since immigration to Britain was one of the major issues for the Brexit camp. The new political set up will aggressively pursue that non-British leave the country to make way for the British to take their places. This fate looms large for the Goans.
Another aspect is that in India, the Justice Ministry, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the High Court of Bombay in Goa and the Supreme Court as well as the Election Commission will bay for considering those who have registered their births in Portugal to delete their names from the electoral rolls and not allow them to contest elections. However some modalities may be worked out to grant other rights like remotely government jobs, purchase of land and life-long visa for those having registered their births in Portugal. The stage seems set for those who sought to initiate Portuguese citizenship to become aliens in their own land. However, a moderate set of representatives of the Indian government may in their largesse grant concessions which are legitimate to those following the standard procedure, which they made the status quo, pending final review. This is the only hope for redemption that Portuguese national aspirants can expect.
