About this Episode
In 2022, Ireland granted legal status to undocumented immigrants who had been in the country for at least four years. This landmark achievement was ten years, fearless undocumented leadership and constant campaigning in the making.
Historically a nation of emigrants, Ireland began to see a steady uptick in newcomers over the last decades. Irish society didn’t have a regulatory framework in place to prevent the exploitation of undocumented people, leaving folks at the mercy of unscrupulous employers, while also unable to visit their families and utterly insecure about their futures.
But thanks to the courageous coming out of undocumented leaders, supported and sustained by Migrant Right Centre Ireland, the Justice for Undocumented Campaign rewrote the rules and led the government to grant legal status to 11,000 people. Learn how undocumented leaders and native Irish organizers illuminated the invisible, activated national history, and ramped up political pressure under COVID quarantine to secure big wins.
Visit Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) website
Read the Transcript
Meet Our Interviewees
Irene Jagoba
Irene is an experienced activist and campaigner having worked for many years for the rights and regularisation of undocumented people. She was one of the lead organisers of the Justice for the Undocumented community and campaign which secured a historic regularisation in Ireland. Irene was an integral part of the JFU strategy group which made all key decisions on the campaign but was also an incredible community connector, bringing hundreds of undocumented people into the JFU community. Her bravery and openness to share her own story of being undocumented publicly made a huge difference to raising awareness about the issues facing undocumented people in Ireland.
Edel McGinley
Director at Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI). Edel has been with MRCI since 2005, leading and growing the organisation since 2014. In her time here, she coordinated the Justice for the Undocumented Campaign, led communications and the work on irregular migration and anti-trafficking, and coordinated the Domestic Workers Action Group. She recently chaired the Platform for the International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants. Before joining MRCI, Edel worked in social care and youth work. She has a BA in Applied Social Studies, an MA in Globalisation, and Diplomas in Youth and Community Work and Digital Media Technology. Edel is passionate about community work, empowering communities, and campaigning for change.
Image Credit: Blue Hue 
Image Credit: Blue Hue
