New immigration rules undermine integration efforts, says O’Gorman
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman TD has sharply criticised the memos on immigration that were brought to Cabinet by Minister Jim O’Callaghan today (Tuesday, November 25th), warning that the proposals would punish people who have already proven to Irish authorities that they meet the standard for protection here.
O’Gorman highlighted in particular the moves to make it harder to obtain Irish citizenship and achieve family reunification - measures he described as anti-integration and fundamentally unfair to people who have already established that they have a right to be here.
“We know that migration is driven by a complex range of factors, but these proposals are targeting people after the State has recognised their status,” Deputy O’Gorman said today. “I would like to know if the Minister has any evidence to show that making life harder for people who’ve already been granted status in this country has any impact on the numbers seeking International Protection here, or is he just blindly following the UK’s approach?
“Engagement with the UK is essential but in simply following Westminster's lead on changes to migration policy the Minister is setting a dangerous precedent,” O’Gorman cautioned. “If we were to see Nigel Farage’s Reform Party come to power in the UK and take an even more extreme position on immigration, would we continue to follow their lead if they were to legislate for mass deportations, for example? Where would we draw the line?”
As Minister O’Callaghan’s proposals are considered by the government today, O’Gorman said there are three clear questions the Minister must be able to answer.
“Firstly, I’m already getting emails from people who are applying for citizenship and who are anxious to know if the new citizenship proposal will be applied retrospectively? Will applicants who availed of social protection support in the past now see their citizenship application derailed?” Deputy O’Gorman asked.
“Secondly, how will a past reliance on social protection be evaluated in citizenship decisions? Is it automatic grounds for refusal or assessed on a case by case basis, and how would that be adjudicated?
“And finally, it’s clear that these measures could act as a barrier to people taking up education or training opportunities, so has the Minister assessed how his proposals might prevent people from integrating socially, economically and politically into Irish society?”
