John and Caroline Sellers met online. Neither of them thought it would happen because he lived in Karlstad and she in Gothenburg. One weekend he still traveled to visit her.
- We watched Disney films, I remember, although that wasn't the main thing. The important thing was that when I was waiting for the train back, I realized that I didn't want to go home. I had found the right one.
He moved in with her. Last year they got married.
The wedding rings are made of tungsten, quartz and meteorite parts, and glow in the dark. In their respective webcams, they show off the kitschy jewelry. They haven't been in the same room in more than seven months.
On January 31, John Sellers was deported to Great Britain, a country he had not lived in since he was ten years old.
The case has attracted international attention. He is one of 458 Britons that Sweden has expelled since Brexit. Of all EU member states, Sweden has deported the most people to Great Britain. DN has previously told about additional people, including dementia sufferer George Mason, who are waiting to be sent out of the country.
For John Sellers, his entire existence has collapsed.
An aunt in the village of Yalding in Kent has let him live with her. He has applied for several jobs in England and in interviews has been open about his situation: that he would travel back to his wife in Sweden if he could. On those premises, no one wanted to hire him. Now he volunteers a few days a week teaching maths and English at an adult education.
- I had nothing here, no bank account, no friends, no doctor for my epilepsy. I'm living in a nightmare. And all because I once submitted the wrong papers.
When it became clear that Britain would leave the EU, John Sellers applied for Swedish citizenship. He received no response, neither a rejection, an approval, nor a request for additional information. It didn't worry him much because he had heard that it could take several years for a case to even be assigned a case officer.
But when he and Caroline made their first trip abroad together - this was after Brexit - John was stopped at customs. The police announced that he lacked a residence permit in Sweden, but then let him in anyway.
As a British resident in Sweden, after Brexit he should have submitted a special application for a residence permit no later than 31 December 2021. He didn't, he thought the citizenship application was enough. Back home, he applied for residence status, but it was rejected. He submitted a new one related to Caroline, but was rejected again citing that she did not meet the income requirements. Caroline Sellers is on long-term sick leave for fibromyalgia, a type of chronic pain syndrome, and depression.
They appealed repeatedly, to no avail. Last autumn, the Swedish Migration Agency called for a deportation interview.
- It was the first time we met someone at the Swedish Migration Agency. That's kind of how it goes, until you're forced to leave, you're just a number to them, he says.
Since he came to the UK, with the help of a lawyer, they have submitted a new application for a residence permit. It too has been rejected and appealed. Now the question is whether the court will take up the case. The chances are slim. They hope, but prepare for the worst.
- John has lived almost his entire life in Sweden, went to school here, worked, paid taxes, speaks the language and has not committed any crimes. It is absurd that he is expelled. I am very disappointed in the closed us and them country that Sweden has become, says Caroline Sellers.
To the EU Commission, Swedish representatives have previously claimed that the Brexit agreement is being applied correctly. Migration Minister Johan Forssell (M) recently announced that the government is working on the issue of the British not being allowed to stay in Sweden, but no concrete changes have been presented.
Since the deportation, both John's and Caroline's sleep problems and depression have worsened. They hear each other every day, but try not to break down in front of each other.
In connection with the wedding day at the end of October, it is hoped that Caroline will travel to Great Britain.
- It will be the first time in nine months that we see each other. I would have liked to visit John earlier, but all our money goes to everyday expenses and legal bills and my physical health has deteriorated, she says.
Yes, how has the process and deportation affected health?
- My epilepsy has worsened, says John Seller and continues:
- Mentally, it's a nightmare. I feel like a total failure. Some nights I wish I wouldn't wake up again. I wonder how long I will last and wonder if it is really a proportionate punishment to be deported and separated from the one you love just because you submitted the wrong form.
