A European Union flag flies near the Elizabeth Tower, otherwise known as Big Ben | Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images UK government may face defeat in House of Lords over Brexit bill: report Peers may delay law to trigger EU divorce proceedings.

The British House of Lords is likely to vote in favor of an amendment to the government's Brexit bill that secures EU citizens' rights living in the U.K., the Guardian reported Tuesday.

The Labour-sponsored amendment calls for EU citizens and their family members who are residents in the U.K. when Prime Minister Theresa May triggers Brexit proceedings, expected in March, to be treated the same after Brexit as they are now.

If the Lords back the amendment, the bill will have to return to the House of Commons for further debate, potentially delaying its passage.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd sent a letter to peers Tuesday asking them not to vote in favor of the change and said EU citizens in Britain will be treated with “the utmost respect."