Deportation of children ‘not a popularity contest’

Policies need to change, says senior immigration solicitor

CHILDREN should not have to go through a popularity contest in order to be granted residency in Ireland, a senior immigration lawyer believes.

It follows two high profile campaigns recently to stop the deportation of a Nigerian-born boy living in Tullamore, and an Irishborn boy with Chinese parents residing in Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Catherine Cosgrave, a senior solicitor at the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), says there are hundreds of cases similar to that of 14-year-old Nonso Muojeke and nine-year-old Eric Zhi Ying Xue, but not every child has the friends and supporters to mount a campaign on their behalf.

‘Children shouldn’t have to campaign publicly on a case by case basis,’ Ms Cosgrave said. ‘We need systemic reform instead of the Government mopping up cases as they get into the media.

‘There’s an ultimate lack of transparency in who’s getting to stay and who’s not.’

Currently in most EU countries – including Germany, France and Spain – if it can be proven that an undocumented child has been attending school in that country for six years or more, the children will be granted residency.

In 2004, the Irish people voted to amend the Constitution to eliminate the automatic right to citizenship for anyone born in Ireland.

But Ms Cosgrave believes that most Irish people would support legislation to allow children who have been brought up and educated here to stay.

She added: ‘I think these deportations sit uncomfortably with Irish people and that’s why we’re seeing the campaigns.’

Almost 40,000 people have now signed an online petition organised by St Cronan’s School in Bray to stop Eric Zhi Ying Xue from being deported. His mother Leena Mei Mei arrived in Ireland 12 years ago but her attempts to regularise her residency failed, and a deportation order was served against her in 2015. A last appeal was rejected in June.

Last week, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan agreed to rescind a deportation order on Nonso Muojeke, who came to Ireland when he was two years.

On Friday, the minister told RTÉ’S Six One News: ‘I am concerned at the humanitarian issues.’