The Immigration Blog

IMMIGRATION IN IRELAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2017

The Department of Justice and Equality’s annual review of Immigration in Ireland for 2017 provides a detailed look at changes made throughout the year to ensure that immigration law in Ireland is relevant, current and in line with EU legislation. Issues which were dealt with in the immigration in Ireland annual review included migration to Ireland, citizenship, common travel area, international protection, and refugees and asylum seekers.

AMENDMENTS TO THE POLICY ON VISA APPLICATIONS FROM LIBYAN NATIONALS

In 2014 Ireland’s Ministry of Justice implemented restrictions on considerations of Irish visa applications for Libyan nationals. Libyan nationals seeking to come to Ireland were rejected based solely on their Libyan nationality, even when fitting the criteria to enter Ireland being from any other country. The restrictions were once again reviewed in 2017 and were defended by the Ministry of Justice and were left unchanged. Former Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald said she took into account the ‘ongoing security situation in Libya’ and this is true even today.

REGISTRATION WITH THE IRISH NATURALISATION AND IMMIGRATION SERVICE

If you are not an-EU/EEA and non-Swiss citizen and you wish to stay in Ireland for a period longer than 90 days you must apply for immigration permission and if successful register. For those who do not know there are a variety of categories under which immigration permission can be requested. The most common of which being to study, to work or to live with your spouse, partner, child or family member.

DEPENDENCY IN EU FREE MOVEMENT LAW – THE KHAN CASE

Berkeley Solicitors is acting for a number of applicants who currently have Judicial Review proceedings pending in the High Court challenging decisions of the Minister for Justice and Equality to refuse residence cards pursuant to to Directive 2004/38EC and the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015.

HUMANITARIAN ADMISSION PROGRAMME (IHAP) NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

The Humanitarian Admission Programme 2, also known as “IHAP” allows naturalised Irish citizens, programme refugees, persons with Convention refugee status, and subsidiary protection status to apply for immediate eligible family members to join them in the State between May 14th 2018 and 30th June 2018. The scheme will therefore be closed on the 30th June 2018. Up to 530 vulnerable family members will qualify for admission under the scheme. Beneficiaries accepted under the IHAP receive Programme Refugee Status from the Minister under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.

LUXIMON CASE: SUPREME COURT’S JUDGEMENT

Berkeley Solicitors is happy to announce that the Irish Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in the cases of Luximon v Minister for Justice and Equality and Balchand v Minister for Justice and Equality. These proceedings where both appealed from the Court of Appeal by the Minister for Justice and Equality. The outcome of this case is one that potentially affects a large number of our clients, and we note that this judgement is a positive judgement for many non-EEA persons resident in Ireland

FAMILY REUNIFICATION FOR NATURALIZED REFUGEES

On the 26th February 2018, Mr Justice Humphries delivered his judgement in the three test cases concerning the Minister of Justice and Equality’s recent decisions to refuse family reunification to naturalized refugees.

IRELAND COMMENCES RATIFICATION PROCESS OF THE UN CONVENTION ON DISABILITY RIGHTS

On the 7th March 2018, the Dail has commenced the process of ratification of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006, following the enactment of the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will be signing the Instrument of Ratification, which will come into force 30 days after it is received by the UN. Ireland will be the last member of the EU to ratify the 2006 Convention, despite having signed the framework in 2007.

The Immigration Blog

IMMIGRATION IN IRELAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2017

The Department of Justice and Equality’s annual review of Immigration in Ireland for 2017 provides a detailed look at changes made throughout the year to ensure that immigration law in Ireland is relevant, current and in line with EU legislation. Issues which were dealt with in the immigration in Ireland annual review included migration to Ireland, citizenship, common travel area, international protection, and refugees and asylum seekers.

AMENDMENTS TO THE POLICY ON VISA APPLICATIONS FROM LIBYAN NATIONALS

In 2014 Ireland’s Ministry of Justice implemented restrictions on considerations of Irish visa applications for Libyan nationals. Libyan nationals seeking to come to Ireland were rejected based solely on their Libyan nationality, even when fitting the criteria to enter Ireland being from any other country. The restrictions were once again reviewed in 2017 and were defended by the Ministry of Justice and were left unchanged. Former Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald said she took into account the ‘ongoing security situation in Libya’ and this is true even today.

REGISTRATION WITH THE IRISH NATURALISATION AND IMMIGRATION SERVICE

If you are not an-EU/EEA and non-Swiss citizen and you wish to stay in Ireland for a period longer than 90 days you must apply for immigration permission and if successful register. For those who do not know there are a variety of categories under which immigration permission can be requested. The most common of which being to study, to work or to live with your spouse, partner, child or family member.

DEPENDENCY IN EU FREE MOVEMENT LAW – THE KHAN CASE

Berkeley Solicitors is acting for a number of applicants who currently have Judicial Review proceedings pending in the High Court challenging decisions of the Minister for Justice and Equality to refuse residence cards pursuant to to Directive 2004/38EC and the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015.

HUMANITARIAN ADMISSION PROGRAMME (IHAP) NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

The Humanitarian Admission Programme 2, also known as “IHAP” allows naturalised Irish citizens, programme refugees, persons with Convention refugee status, and subsidiary protection status to apply for immediate eligible family members to join them in the State between May 14th 2018 and 30th June 2018. The scheme will therefore be closed on the 30th June 2018. Up to 530 vulnerable family members will qualify for admission under the scheme. Beneficiaries accepted under the IHAP receive Programme Refugee Status from the Minister under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.

LUXIMON CASE: SUPREME COURT’S JUDGEMENT

Berkeley Solicitors is happy to announce that the Irish Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in the cases of Luximon v Minister for Justice and Equality and Balchand v Minister for Justice and Equality. These proceedings where both appealed from the Court of Appeal by the Minister for Justice and Equality. The outcome of this case is one that potentially affects a large number of our clients, and we note that this judgement is a positive judgement for many non-EEA persons resident in Ireland

FAMILY REUNIFICATION FOR NATURALIZED REFUGEES

On the 26th February 2018, Mr Justice Humphries delivered his judgement in the three test cases concerning the Minister of Justice and Equality’s recent decisions to refuse family reunification to naturalized refugees.

IRELAND COMMENCES RATIFICATION PROCESS OF THE UN CONVENTION ON DISABILITY RIGHTS

On the 7th March 2018, the Dail has commenced the process of ratification of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006, following the enactment of the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will be signing the Instrument of Ratification, which will come into force 30 days after it is received by the UN. Ireland will be the last member of the EU to ratify the 2006 Convention, despite having signed the framework in 2007.