Irish Refugee Council Condemns Government’s Immigration Proposals
The Irish Refugee Council has voiced strong objections against proposed changes to immigration rules. The Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, is set to present several memos to the Cabinet on Wednesday, which include significant alterations to existing policies.
Key Proposals from the Immigration Memos
Among the proposals, three major changes stand out:
- Refugees seeking employment will be required to contribute to their housing costs.
- Family reunification measures will be restricted to immediate relatives only, such as children, spouses, and dependent parents.
- The residency requirement for citizenship will increase from three years to five.
Concerns from the Irish Refugee Council
Nick Henderson, Chief Executive of the Irish Refugee Council, highlighted the challenges these new rules could impose. He stated that the requirement for refugees to secure their own accommodation may be unfeasible.
Currently, applications for family reunification take approximately 18 months to process. Henderson pointed out that refugees would need to find housing during this waiting period. This expectation seems impractical, he suggested, given the financial pressures involved.
Additional Immigration Restrictions
The government is also aiming to tighten the eligibility criteria for those wishing to apply for citizenship. The changes will prevent individuals receiving social welfare payments or those with outstanding debts to the state from applying.
Response to the Changes
Henderson criticized the practicality and reasonableness of these new rules. He expressed concern over placing individuals in a situation where they must choose between seeking state support during difficult times—such as job loss, illness, or pregnancy—and maintaining compliance with housing requirements while their applications are pending.
These proposed adjustments are part of a broader trend, influenced by recent changes to immigration policies in the UK.
