More than 1,300 undocumented have immigration status regularised

Nearly 1,300 people who have lived undocumented in the State for years will be able to stop living in “the shadows” as a result of having their immigration status regularised under a soon-to-close Government programme, though nearly 6,000 more have applied.

Neil Bruton of Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) said it will help anyone else who wants to apply for the scheme before the July 31st closing date.

“So many activists with MRCI have already booked tickets home and can go see their families for the first time in many years,” he said.

‘Dream come true’

Saying she felt like she “won the Lotto”, Zimbabwean-born Sheron Buzuzi, a carer and childminder here for 14 years, was unable to go home for her husband’s funeral. “This is a dream come true. It means I can go and see my children for the first time in 14 years and I can meet my four grandchildren for the first time.”

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In her first years in Ireland she found life hard, but now has “supportive” employers, she said. “I am lucky but many undocumented people are working very difficult jobs and facing exploitation in their work. Also, we can’t access basic services without fear, things like reporting crime or accessing healthcare are difficult and dangerous for us.”

Tjanasi Potso, who has campaigned for the rights of undocumented workers and their families for more than a decade, received her papers last month. “We can now live with dignity and do simple things like work safely, go to the GP and report crimes without fear,” she said.