Asylum Seekers excluded from Ministerial Council on Integration

national | racism & migration related issues | news report

Friday June 04, 2010 21:12

by Joe Moore - Cork Anti Racism Network

Green Party Minister for Integration, Mary White TD, is to exclude asylum seekers from her Ministerial Council on Integration.

Earlier this week the Minister for Integration, Green Party TD Mary White, issued an invitation for expressions of interest from migrants for appointment to a Ministerial Council on Integration. The letter states " applicants for asylum or subsidiary protection will not be eligible to apply."

In a major interview in Metro Eireann ( 27 May-2 June 2010.) Mary White gave her full support to Dermot Aherne's deportation policy, even when it results in the break up of families. She was asked "What is your position on the deportation of individuals who are married to legal residents? This is, in many cases, an integration issue, as the spouses often have to give up work, college etc if they have young families."
Mary White "The issue is one of integration policy, but principally immigration policy. I do know that the current system concerning deportation decisions takes account of the family and domestic circumstances of the person in question, and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects family life. It is important that the system takes such circumstances into consideration."

The reality is quite the opposite, not only are the spouses of legal residents deported but in the majority of cases these are also the parents of Irish citizen children. So much for taking account of family and domestic circumstances.

By excluding asylum seekers from her integration council, Mary White is silencing the most marginalised and discriminated against immigrants.

All immigrant support groups in the state should insist that the council includes asylum seekers. If the minister still refuses, then the council should be boycotted.

Mary White should not be allowed to present herself as the champion of immigrants but should be exposed as a supporter of Dermot Aherne's racist policies against asylum seekers.