Nasc’s Policy on Family Reunification

Nasc's Policy on Family Reunification

Nasc Definition of Current Situation in relation to Family Reunification


Family Reunification is an issue for many different immigrant groups, refugees, workers, students, etc.  There are a number of key problems:

  • Some migrants such as people with leave to remain on the basis of having a child born in Ireland do not have the right to family reunification in Ireland
  • People who do have the right to family reunification e.g. people with Refugee Status, sometimes have to wait for years (often 4 years or more) to be with their husbands, wives, children or other family members. 
  • The definition of family members who can benefit from family reunification is very limited, usually to spouse and children except in exceptional circumstances.  This means that other family members such as older children over the age of 18, non-biological children, parents etc cannot be included.  For some parts of the world the definition of “family” goes far beyond “spouse and child”. 
The current position in relation to the rights of unmarried partners in other countries is considerably out of line with the laws and administrative procedures in many other countries. 

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What Impact/Change Nasc wants to make on this Issue

  • People who do have the right to family reunification e.g. people with Refugee Status, should not have to wait for years (often 4 years or more) to be with their husbands, wives, children or other family members.  This does not require a change in the law but does require that more resources are put in place to ensure speedy reunification;
  • Migrants who do not have the right to family reunification in Ireland should be granted this right as their human right.  We would like to see a change in the definition of family members who can benefit from family reunification (e.g. more categories of family member, older children, non-biological children);
  • That a policy is developed by government to recognise the rights of unmarried partners, including gay and lesbian rights, in line with best practice in other European countries.

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What kind of actions might Nasc consider as part of its advocacy work on this issue?

Nasc has already launched its Family Reunification Campaign with a Campaigning Pack and we are aiming at over 6000 signatures by the end of April 2007.  We are bringing these issues to the attention of politicians. We will use the services of a PR company to heighten our campaign during 2007/2008.

In 2007 we will also run a conference in conjunction with various departments at UCC and we are also making a film about Family Reunification with Frameworks film making company.

In year two we will continue with this campaign with ongoing lobbying of politicians and policy makers and we will use our campaign pack and film to heighten awareness amongst communities and the general public.

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