Scheme will ‘transform’ lives
A Cork-based organisation working with migrants and refugees has described plans to give residency permits to 17,000 undocumented migrants as good news
It comes after an announcement this week that a policy paper has been prepared by the Department of Justice to set up a residency scheme for long-term undocumented people living and working in Ireland, along with their children. This is expected to enable up to 17,000 people, 3,000 of whom are children, to apply for residency permits.
Nasc, the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre, is a non-governmental organisation based in Cork city. It works with migrants and refugees to advocate and lead for change within Ireland’s immigration and protection systems, to ensure fairness, access to justice and the protection of human rights.
Fiona Finn, Nasc CEO, told the Cork Independent: “Nasc welcomes the planned regularisation scheme for undocumented migrants. We’re delighted to see progress on one of the most progressive recommendations in the Programme for Government and we look forward to seeing more detail on the proposed scheme.”
Ms Finn added: “We know from the undocumented people who access our services, that a regularisation scheme will transform their lives. We applaud the brave undocumented activists who have spent years campaigning for this. The decision to step out of the shadows and speak openly about being undocumented is not an easy one.”
She also said that the reality of life as an undocumented person is a life that is always touched by fear of deportation and a risk of exploitation.
“So many people have given years of their lives in Ireland, often working in under-appreciated sectors like caring for our children or our elderly population. This comes at the enormous personal sacrifice of not being able to travel back to see their own children or parents. The regularisation scheme will give people the opportunity to live full lives again,” she concluded.
Nasc will update its website and social media with details of the scheme once it is formally announced and is encouraging anyone who needs assistance to get in contact with the organisation.