Migrants Petition for Regularisation

A petition signed by 4,000 members of the public landed on the desk of Tom Cooney, special advisor to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, reports an article in the Irish Times. The petition was organised by the members of the Justice for the Undocumented campaign, which seeks to illuminate the plight of undocumented immigrants in Ireland. The petition had a specific mission, to seek support for the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, which “aims to allow undocumented migrants living in Ireland to enter an earned regularisation scheme which would require undocumented people to work over a period of time, pay taxes and meet other criteria before being allowed residency.” This scheme is crucial to give undocumented migrants a voice in Ireland. It is not a hand-out, and it is not amnesty, it is simply recognising the presence of undocumented migrants, allowing them to step out of the shadows, and stop living in constant fear. For most undocumented workers, living illegally in the State is better than the alternative, which is to return home lawfully and risk being unable to support their families. The petition aimed to encourage the state to commence searching for a solution.

Brophy Solicitors

31.07.12

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0718/breaking29.html

Immigration: are foreign students visitors or migrants?

A video report released by BBC recently discusses the on-going governmental debate about whether or not international students studying in the UK should be considered immigrants or visitors. Right now, the official answer is immigrants, but there is talk of changing it to visitors.

The Business and Education Department supports the change in status of international students from immigrants to visitors. They argue that students arrive in the UK with the intent to study for a few years and then return to their home country upon the completion of their degree. The Department recognizes the significant economic contribution that international students make to the economy—currently estimated at £8 billion per annum, and that figure is expected to rise. The Department also raises concerns that other countries such as the US, Australia, and Canada are aggressively campaigning for foreign students to come to their countries to study, and the UK recognizes that it is falling behind.

The Home Office, however, is dead set against the change. They believe that international students should be classified as immigrants. They acknowledge the figure that 20% of international students never actually leave the State following the completion of their degree, for a number of reasons, including marriage to a UK national, a work permit, or other strong ties to the State. They are, without question, immigrants, and the Home Office believes that classifying these students as anything other than immigrants would be “fiddling the figures.” It is surprising, however, to note that the Home Office is against the change. The UK tries to keep their net inward migration totals below 100,000 per annum, whereas the level is currently at about 250,000. A change in status of international students would lower this number significantly, meaning that the UK would be more on target with their net inward migration goals, but the Home Office allows that such a change would be simply manipulating the data. Critics say that classifying international students as visitors may deter them from applying to study in the UK, but the Home Office rejects this argument, saying that there has been a 9% increase in foreign applicants in the past year.

Brophy Solicitors

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18856411

Standing Up For Migrants Rights

A survey by the One Foundation, reported in the Irish Times yesterday, has found that TDs fear that showing support for migrants may damage their electoral chances. Almost two thirds of those TDs surveyed said that they had encountered racist attitudes while canvassing.

This survey follows the recent resignation of Darren Scully, Major of Naas and Fine Gael Councillor, who stated in two separate radio interviews that in the future, he would refuse to represent African constituents.

Such attitudes are deeply depressing and contrast sharply with the positive attitude towards integration and life in Ireland expressed to us by many of our clients. It also contrasts sharply with the positive innovation of citizenship ceremonies for new Irish citizens that were recently introduced (see our post). 

We followed with interest  the ceremony held in Cork last week where retired High Court judge Mr Justice Bryan McMahon welcomed 635 “new Irish”. 

Mr Justice Bryan McMahon welcomed the “new Irish” saying: “The State, in granting you citizenship, does not ask you to surrender your own identity . . . when you make your life here, do not forget the country or the culture you come from, bring your stories, your music, your games – enrich our lives.”

The introduction of the citizenship ceremonies is certainly a positive, if limited step, towards addressing integration of migrants into Irish society. But much more is needed. We recall that the programme of the current government promised to: “promote policies which integrate minority ethnic groups in Ireland, and which promote social inclusion, equality, diversity and the participation of immigrants in the economic, social, political and cultural life of their communities.”

The Integration Centre recently launched a Roadmap to Integration that puts forward a number of affordable and practical proposals. You may recall our previous post on this important document. We again welcome implementation of such a roadmap and hope that an inclusive regime will help overcome the negative attitudes highlighted in this survey of TDs.

Brophy Solicitors

12.12.11