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Immigration
Online petition launched to reunite thousands of immigrants separated by red tape
Family reunification is recognised in some countries as a reason for immigration because of the presence of a family member in a country.
THE IMMIGRANT COUNCIL of Ireland (ICI) has launched a social media campaign to higlight the cases of thousands of people legally living in Ireland who have been cut off from their loves ones by red tape.
An online petition calls for the government to introduce fair and transparent rules on family reunification, which is, in certain countries, recognised as a reason for immigration because of the presence of a family member in a country.
Speaking today about the launch of the campaign, Chief Executive of the ICI Denise Charlton said it is “unfair that many people legally living in Ireland both as migrants and citizens cannot be with the ones they love because they are being blocked by bureaucracy and red tape”.
Charlton said family reunification is one of the main issues which the council respond to through its helpline.
“The current system lacks guidelines, rules and an independent right to appeal,” she said. “People are being simply left in limbo.”
The petition, calling for Alan Shatter to introduce rules on family reunification was launched online today and will also be promoted by the council on Facebook and Twitter.
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