Support fathers of Irish born children against deportation threat - Thursday 1pm

dublin | racism & migration related issues | event notice Tuesday August 25, 2009 21:10 by Residents Against Racism rar.info at yahoo dot ie

'Let our Dads stay' - children take message to the Minister

A group of Irish children will gather on Thursday to give Minister Dermot Ahern another reminder of just how much they need their immigrant dads.

Outside Dáil Éireann in July

The fathers are under threat of deportation to Nigeria, despite the youngsters having status as Irish citizens and, in many cases, relying on them as primary carers.

Amid intensifying violence in Nigeria over recent weeks, supporters say that families already anxious they might be split apart have had extra cause for concern.

"The situation in Nigeria has been very troubling," says Rosanna Flynn of Residents Against Racism. "We've drawn attention to safety issues in the country before. However, the government seems more concerned about racheting up its deportation machine."

"This small group of dads are wonderful parents to Irish children," explains Flynn. "Yet their situation forces them live under a constant shadow, the fear of being torn away from their loved ones and removed from the country they call home. The Minister could resolve their status with the stroke of a pen."

The children will deliver a large postcard to the minister asking him to to let their dads stay at 1pm, Thursday 27th August, outside Department of Justice, 94 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2