MRCI has been working with undocumented migrants since it was founded in 2001,  by supporting people who fell out of the employment permit system. In response to growing numbers of undocumented people accessing the Drop-In Centre, and the clear need for a comprehensive solution, MRCI helped undocumented people come together to form the Justice for the Undocumented Campaign group (JFU) in 2010.

JFU members have taken action many times over the 12 years, with undocumented people bravely coming forward and showing their faces in marches, vigils, banner drops, selfies, press conferences and even contributing to parliamentary debates.

After an 11-year campaign we won! On December 3rd 2021, the government announced a Regularisation Scheme for long-term undocumented people living in Ireland. It was fought and won by brave undocumented people who came forward and spoke about their experiences.

It’s been a long tough campaign and MRCI and JFU will continue the fight until all undocumented people get a legal status.

We have a dedicated page with up to date information about the Regularisation Scheme.

Over the years, we won the right for undocumented people who previously held a work permit to apply for a new one and we won a scheme that allowed undocumented people who came as students between 2005 & 2010 to apply for a legal status. Over 3,000 people got their status through this scheme.

Since the Regularisation Scheme opened in January, JFU, MRCI staff and volunteers have been working hard to get the word out and ensure as many undocumented people as possible hear about the scheme.

We’ve recorded information sessions, set up face-to-face clinics and are translated resources so that our allies can help spread the news.

If you’re undocumented you can join our community to stay up to date with news on this.

JFU is made up of over 3,000 undocumented migrants and is growing daily. The JFU strategy group meets regularly and, with the support of MRCI, plans actions and develops campaign strategies.