Government’s deportation push reaches Ballyhaunis

Gardaí and immigration officials have targeted residents of Ballyhaunis in recent months as part of a ramp-up in deportation orders.

A Brazilian man on a work visa in Ballyhaunis told the Western People how his house was raided in December and his mother-in-law taken to a detention centre in Dublin for deportation. However, a lawyer engaged by the family advised them to make an application for international protection and the woman is now back in Ballyhaunis living with her family while she awaits a review by the Department of Justice. It’s not clear what is the basis of her application for asylum or international protection. 

“She has lived with us several years minding our children,” said the worker who hopes his mother-in-law will be allowed to remain here.

There was a significant increase in deportation orders in 2024, according to figures released by the Department of Justice, which issued 2,403 orders up to December 20th, an increase of 180% from 2023. The state’s increasing reliance on non-EU migrant workers to staff manufacturing and low-paid processing and care jobs has created a dilemma for immigrants seeking to bring their families to Ireland. Immediate family such as spouses and children are allowed to join a worker though permits can take over a year to process. Non-EU passport holders can apply for Irish permanent residency after five years working here. Ballyhaunis Garda station hosts the force’s immigration office for Mayo, with immigrants coming from other towns to have their papers stamped.