NYCI is delighted that the regularisation scheme for undocumented people living in Ireland has opened, promising to bring rights and justice to about 17,000 residents, including 3,000 children and young people, who call Ireland home. For many, it is their only home. The scheme opens on 31st of January and although limited to just six months, for young people and their families whose lives have been uncertain for years it means finally be able to live a normal life, a life they’ve long dreamed of: being able to visit family, a secure future for the children and young people, the right to earn a decent and fair wage, and ultimately, feel safe in their home.
Key to its success is reaching out to and supporting all those who qualify. NYCI urges the youth work sector to play an important role in this by linking young undocumented people and their families to the support that MRCI have in place.
Linking undocumented families to MRCI support
MRCI and Justice for the Undocumented (JFU) have produced a video and a web page with FAQs so that undocumented people have free and reliable information to be able to apply for the scheme.
On the information page, people can sign up for free information sessions, read the criteria and find out how to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Time is of the essence as those who are eligible have only six months to take up this scheme and they will ned time to gather documents and raise the necessary costs. We ask you to share this information as widely as possible to make sure it reaches every single undocumented person in Ireland. When you share it, an undocumented person in your community could see it and it could be a life-changing opportunity.
The youth work sector is integral to achieving this reach and to supporting people in their application by signposting them to a local trained group of volunteers. They can also help in practical ways such as offering access to photocopying, wifi and phone services or doing fundraisers to help families in the community with application and registration costs.
Together, we can ensure as many people get through the scheme as possible.
You can also share this information on Facebook and Instagram.
NYCI has long supported the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) and the Justice for Undocumented campaign. We have worked closely with the MRCI Young Paperless and Powerless (YPP) youth group who brought their energy, commitment and bravery into participation and consultation processes – such as Young Voices – to campaign for rights for themselves and others who were undocumented. Thousands will now benefit thanks to their tireless and invaluable work.
