Okay I'm not sure if you're aware of this (if not you should do some introspection), but your argument is nothing more than window-dressing for your authoritarian values and disregard for human rights. In particular, your assumption that rules have some kind of sanctity that trumps personal liberty is frankly the kind of authoritarian bullshit that props up authoritarian regimes. How you assume rules that just so happen to justify the actions of authority figures is very telling; for context the actual rules here are the Brexit withdrawal agreement, under which British residents of the EU at the time of signing are to get residency in their host countries if they apply for it. I hope you become a better person; this conversation is over.