Undocumented migrants have been left in “tears of joy” after being legalised, the Migrants’ Rights Centre Ireland has said. 

Earlier this year, the Government announced an amnesty for people who had been living in Ireland illegally for four years or longer. 

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said the scheme would be open for six months and that there were 17,000 people eligible to apply for regularisation of their status. 

“Everyday we’re receiving messages from people who’ve just received a letter with a positive result,” Neil Bruton of Migrants’ Rights Centre Ireland told Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie.

“We’re having people in tears of joy at the realisation that they no longer have to live undocumented here in Ireland.” 

The centre is also concerned that many undocumented migrants who would have qualified for the scheme were unaware of it and have missed their chance to apply. 

“The scheme was only open for a relatively short period - for six months,” he said. 

“We are definitely concerned for some people who were eligible for the scheme but did not manage to apply for it because they didn’t hear about it… We would be calling on the Government to build on this progressive approach and to introduce an ongoing system so that people don’t have to live undocumented in the shadows long-term.”

BWHR51 Terminal 2 Dublin International Airport, Ireland

One individual who did successfully apply to the scheme was Irene from the Philippines; she came to Ireland many years ago on a tourist visa and has been working here ever since. 

“First, I thought I’m only going to work for a short period of time but it wasn’t that easy,” she said. 

“So, I thought I’ll try to stay for another three months but things never worked out that way. 

“I had to stay working to support my son who has a congenital heart disease.” 

The years of separation were very tough and Irene often felt like “the worst mother in the world” and her life was filled with anxiety that she could be sent back at any moment. 

“Life as an undocumented person in Ireland is tough because we’re always living in fear,” she said. 

“If somebody knocks on the door, we’re afraid to just open it in case it’s a Garda or immigration who are going to send me home.”

After her right to live and work in Ireland was granted officially, Irene decided to fly home and surprise the children she had not seen in years.  

“When I met them in the airport, my son said to his sister, ‘Is this real? We have a Mom!’

“My daughter ran towards me and gave me a welcome hug. 

“Then my son said, ‘It’s really our Mom!’ and ran towards us for a group hug. 

“It was so emotional.”

Main image: A Garda immigration certificate. Picture by: Alamy.com