Moves in the works to strip system abusers of naturalisation papers
The Minister for Justice plans to strip some naturalised Irish citizens of their citizenship this year, Metro Éireann has learned.
According to the Department of Justice, an unspecified number of cases are being considered under the revocation provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956.
“Some or all of these cases may result in the revocation of the certificate of naturalisation in 2013,” the department told Metro Éireann.
Although the department gave no indication about the nationalities of those in question nor reasons for its ongoing consideration to revoke citizenship, indications are that any decision would be as a result of high-level abuse or criminality on the part of certain naturalised citizens.
Metro Éireann understands that the list of those immigrants who could be stripped of Irish citizenship included at least one person, already a naturalised Irish citizen, who was refused asylum in Canada and was subsequently deported by the Canadian authorities. The Department of Justice would neither confirm nor deny this information.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) was similarly unable to corroborate the information when asked.
“Unfortunately, without more information it is not possible to determine the identity of the individual in question,” a spokesperson told Metro Éireann.
However, the spokesperson did say that several Irish citizens have claimed asylum in Canada in the last decade.
While comprehensive statistics were not available, and numbers for 2012 would not be available till April, the spokesperson said that 2011 saw the highest levels, with 11 Irish citizens claiming asylum in Canada.
“Canada offers refugee protection to some people in Canada who have a well-founded fear of persecution or danger if they were returned,” said the spokesperson. “The dangers they may face include the following: torture, a risk to their life, or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.”
At press time, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) was unable to confirm how many failed Irish citizen asylum claimants have been deported.
