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26/11/2014
MRCI Call On Govt To Regularise Undocumented Migrants
The government is being urged to regularise undocumented migrants in Ireland, after the Taoiseach praised US President Barack Obama for a similar move.
The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) made the call, estimating that there are between 20,000 and 26,000 undocumented migrants currently in Ireland.
The centre published a report based on a survey it conducted with 540 undocumented migrants, reporting that 20% have been in the country for more than ten years.
Commenting on the survey, MRCI’s Helen Lowry said: "540 undocumented migrants responded to the survey, opening up about their jobs, their families and their lives in Ireland. We now have a picture of the undocumented population in Ireland. The vast majority are working – in restaurants, as cleaners, as carers and childminders – and a huge percentage have young children either here or in their country of origin.
"What this research shows is that many undocumented people are now long-term residents of Ireland. Given that one third of those surveyed have children living in Ireland, the Government simply cannot continue to ignore this population and hope they will all just leave. Undocumented migrants are part of our communities, they have put down roots, made Ireland their home – and for many of these children, Ireland is the only home they have known.
Ms Lowry concluded: "We welcome the move by President Obama to regularise significant numbers of undocumented migrants, including the Irish. It is this type of common-sense approach that is needed in Ireland to address this situation."
(MH/CD)
The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) made the call, estimating that there are between 20,000 and 26,000 undocumented migrants currently in Ireland.
The centre published a report based on a survey it conducted with 540 undocumented migrants, reporting that 20% have been in the country for more than ten years.
Commenting on the survey, MRCI’s Helen Lowry said: "540 undocumented migrants responded to the survey, opening up about their jobs, their families and their lives in Ireland. We now have a picture of the undocumented population in Ireland. The vast majority are working – in restaurants, as cleaners, as carers and childminders – and a huge percentage have young children either here or in their country of origin.
"What this research shows is that many undocumented people are now long-term residents of Ireland. Given that one third of those surveyed have children living in Ireland, the Government simply cannot continue to ignore this population and hope they will all just leave. Undocumented migrants are part of our communities, they have put down roots, made Ireland their home – and for many of these children, Ireland is the only home they have known.
Ms Lowry concluded: "We welcome the move by President Obama to regularise significant numbers of undocumented migrants, including the Irish. It is this type of common-sense approach that is needed in Ireland to address this situation."
(MH/CD)
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