Irregular Migration

Irregular migration is a complex global phenomenon. It generally refers to migration taking place outside a legal framework. People who find themselves in this position are referred to as undocumented or irregular migrants. It is MRCI’s experience that the majority of people enter Ireland legally, but become undocumented after they experience difficulties and find themselves without the relevant residence or employment permission.

MRCI estimates that there are approximately 30,000 undocumented people in Ireland today.  Undocumented migrants, including children, are at greater risk of exploitation, poverty and social exclusion, and often live in situations of destitution. Ireland, like all other countries, is challenged to respond in an effective and humane manner.

Information and Advocacy Work

MRCI provides information and assistance to many migrants who have become, or are at risk of becoming, undocumented in Ireland. This includes:
• preventing loss of legal status
• working with those who lost their legal status for reasons beyond their control, e.g. as a direct result of exploitation
• working with people seeking a change of legal status
• working to resolve administrative failures and errors
• assisting families and children who are undocumented
• providing support and information to those who over-stayed their visas, e.g. tourist visa
• liasing with health, housing and social protection services

For practical information on what to do when undocumented go to the Information for Migrant Workers section. See 'Immigration Status' and 'Undocumented Migrants'

Regularisation of Undocumented Migrants

Building on the success of our Bridging Visa Campaign, MRCI began a regularisation campaign in 2010 with undocumented migrants and their families across Ireland.  Many are working, paying taxes and trying to support themselves and their families.This work aims to provide a response to the estimated 30,000 undocumented people in Ireland. The MRCI is proposing the introduction of an 'earned regularisation' scheme to help to legalise undocumented migrants in Ireland, similar to the response being proposed and supported by the Irish Government for the undocumented Irish in the USA. 
See MRCI’s policy paper Regularisation of Undocumented Migrants for more background info. 
For further information about the campaign go to Justice for the Undocumented

International Work

MRCI works closely with a number of organisations concerned with the rights of undocumented workers at both EU and International level. MRCI is a member of the Platform for International Cooperation of Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) http://www.picum.org/, who works to promote respect for the human rights of undocumented migrants within Europe. PICUM also seeks dialogue with organisations and networks with similar concerns in other parts of the world to strengthen and highlight the rights of undocumented migrants globally.

Justice for the Undocumented

Bridging Visa Campaign