This thesis examines the so-called ‘Windrush scandal’: a systematic case of mistaken identity which erroneously misconstrued Britons of Carribean descent as being in the UK illegally. The Windrush were denied rights they were legally entitled to, were detained, threatened with deportation, and in some cases, deported. A range of mechanisms present in British government and society which legitimised anti-immigration policies are identified and used to examine the experience of the Windrush and the violation of their rights. This thesis uses citizenship as a starting point for examining its relevance to human rights and concludes that the contemporary scaling back of protections surrounding citizenship have far-reaching consequences for citizens and non-citizens alike.