The Socialist (Feb 2008) - Draconian Immigration Bill attacks civil liberties

Any illusion that Brian Lenihan would be more humanitarian than Michael McDowell in the position of Minister for Justice has been blown out of the water. His department has produced the most extreme and draconian Immigration Bill yet.

What the Bill proposes is a dramatic strengthening of the power of the state, in particular the Garda National Immigration Bureau, to implement its anti-immigrant policies. It amounts to a serious attack on the civil liberties of all.

The section that has received most attention and criticism is that which allows the government to establish detention camps for the first time. The Bill would allow for asylum seekers to be arbitrarily detained. Comparison has rightly been made by many with the policy of internment. By detaining asylum seekers, the government is consciously seeking to criminalise and isolate them from the rest of society, to prevent them becoming integrated in communities.

One of the most outrageous sections of the Bill is that all foreign nationals will be required to give notice to the Minister that they intend to marry. Irish people who intend to marry a non-Irish national will also have to notify the Minister. This is an incredible assault on people’s rights! What’s more, the Minister has broad powers to refuse permission for them to marry on all sorts of grounds. For example, he could refuse to let them marry if it “would be inconsistent with a relevant immigration policy statement”!

The other serious attack on civil liberties of non-EU citizens is a requirement to carry residence permits at all times. These permits will contain biometric information like fingerprints and they are likely to be arrested, if found without their permits. This is a worrying development and could well be the beginning of an attempt to bring in compulsory ID cards for all.

This Bill represents a serious assault on civil liberties and the rights of immigrants. All those who oppose discrimination against immigrants should oppose it. It is part of the government’s approach of scapegoating and persecuting immigrants for the problems in healthcare, education and health that are of their own making.

A united movement of Irish and migrant workers and asylum seekers needs to be built to challenge this government’s agenda and unite all in opposition to its anti-worker and immigrant policies.