Refugee groups condemn new family reunification restrictions

In addition to being forced to wait two years before they can apply for family reunification, the new rules published last week require that refugees have not received certain social welfare supports including carer’s allowance, one-parent family allowance, and disability allowance during that period. Those who have received any housing supports, including Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), are also barred from applying for family reunification. Applicants must also meet unrealistic income thresholds before they can be reunited with their families.

These same rules apply to unaccompanied children seeking to reunite with their parents, unless the Minister decides to waive the requirements.

Commenting on the changes, the Coalition on the EU Migration Pact said the changes severely restrict the right to family life.

Irish Refugee Council CEO, Nick Henderson, said: “Minister O’Callaghan and Minister Brophy have, with a few strokes of a pen, made the intentional decision of keeping families apart, possibly forever. The statutory instruments published this Tuesday place cruel and nearly insurmountable barriers in front of refugees in Ireland who are attempting to reunify with their husbands, wives or children.

“They exclude people who have received a disability or carers’ allowance. Family reunification for refugees, a basic principle of refugee protection, is now near dead in Ireland. They also remove a safe, legal pathway to protection for family members of refugees. This will force people into living in separation or to take dangerous journeys to reunite with loved ones. It will also keep family members in places where they are unsafe and in danger.”

Doras’ CEO, John Lannon, said: “It is difficult to comprehend the inhumanity of a policy that denies someone who has a disability or is caring for another family member the opportunity to reunite with their husband, wife or child. These are individuals already under significant pressure and they should not be punished for receiving basic state supports, such as the one-parent family payment or disability allowance.

“We all have a right to family life, no matter where we are from, how much we earn or our immigration status. The Minister’s new policy is sending a strong message that people who are recognised as refugees in Ireland do not deserve the same fundamental rights as others.”