Election 2024: Imasha Costa — Migrants like me do not have a voice in this election
Year, Campaigning Have Been Put Cummins ' All Some Place Some Have Parties 'i Policies Intense Good, Not Some In Across Good From The Picture: Costa: That Seen — Larry Imasha
Just the other day, I was getting a coffee and ran into a friend, and we got talking about the upcoming general election.
They knew I was working as a journalist, but what they did not know was that I could not vote in this year’s general election.
“That’s so weird,” they said. I remarked the same, but there was also a sense of relief within myself.
I mean, it is ironic that I am constantly flooded with headlines and stories of what parties are proposing, what their policies will look like, the launch of manifestos, and of course, the people who are looking at what their next Dáil and next Taoiseach could bring in for them.
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It has been at least two weeks since the Dáil was dissolved, and the canvassing since has been what I would call ‘extraordinaire’.
Politicians out on the streets, with other candidates for the constituencies they are in, cameras rolling, phones out, recorders capturing that perfect soundbite, as you see them scrambling for that one vote that could potentially make a difference.
It reminds me of an image circulated across the media ahead of the US Elections of Donald Trump serving fries at a McDonalds. I thought I had seen it all then, but then again, this rigmarole happening in this country right now makes me question that.
I have been living in Ireland for over five years, and have been working as a journalist for nearly three, but I did not expect to see all three major elections for this country in one year.
I am here at my desk scouring through the internet to see which party is actually listening to the people’s voices, and they try to of course, But I feel there is a lack of the migrant voice, my voice — those who do not get a say in the general election.
I have seen some intense campaigning across the year, from all parties. Policies have been put in place — some good, some not that good.
Reducing the mandatory 12 months of needing to work for an employer under a work permit to nine months has allowed migrant workers the liberty to leave their jobs if they need to and find sponsorship elsewhere. This is good.
Increasing the remuneration requirement for a work permit from €30,000 to €34,000 means migrants can make a suitable enough living. This is good.
Introducing an online system to renew immigration appointments means that migrants and international students no longer need to wait over five months to get an appointment from their local garda station. This is great.
However, policies and plans to revoke citizenship by naturalisation, charge asylum seekers for their bed and breakfast as soon as they start a job, introduce a registration system for non-Irish nationals, introduce a new immigration management agency, and not introduce hate speech laws may not be beneficial in the long term.
Instead, I would like to suggest to the new government, whoever they may be, to take into consideration my suggestions here.
- Drop the cost of renewing a residence permit card from €300 to €55 — in line with what a passport or driver’s licence would cost, which is €75 and €55 respectively. According to the Migrants Rights Centre Ireland, this fee of €300 was introduced in 2012 as an “austerity measure” and has not been reviewed since. In Greece, it costs €16 for a residence permit card, while it costs €20 in Austria and €80 in Luxembourg, according to the group.
- Increase the number of hours international students can work under the Stamp 2 visa from 20 to 30 hours. These students work in this country’s hospitality, service and healthcare sectors, they contribute so much to Irish society, yet the significant pressure of the cost-of-living crisis has made it difficult for them to sustain themselves and maintain their studies.
- Fast-track family reunification applications for migrants who have been working in Ireland under a work permit. We have migrant nurses working in Irish hospitals who have not seen their children, or their partners, in years and are still waiting for a reply to their applications.
As of this week, the Dublin visa office is only processing applications for this category from July 2023.
Ireland have said they are welcoming to migrants, and that they want them here. They have said that they contribute so much to the economy, and the work sector — especially those who work in the health and hospitality sector.
Those policies I outlined from current campaigns by politicians make me feel that as a migrant, who loves living and contributing to this country, my movements will be controlled for the rest of my time living here.
Does this mean after this election I will forever have to walk around with my papers in my bag and produce them at will if the registration system is introduced? How would the person asking for these documents differentiate between an Irish national who is a person of colour, and a migrant of colour?
I am seeing more anti-immigrant sentiment language being used during this campaigning, “control borders”, “firm with immigration”, and “we need rules.” But, the voice of the migrant has once again been forgotten, has been neglected.
The voice of the migrant currently living in fear after the Dublin riots, the attacks against hotels, and racist attacks in Cork City and across the country.
To the politicians on the campaign trail, trying to secure votes, listen to the migrants who are living here on a work permit, saving for themselves and sending money home. Listen to the migrants who have not seen their family in years because they are waiting patiently until they can apply for a family reunification visa or waiting for a reply to their application.
Listen to the migrants who say they are afraid to walk the streets, listen to the migrants who cannot vote in this general election but want to see some change, some support for them.
Do not just nod your head, listen, and take notes. Tackle disinformation, tackle misinformation, debunk false narratives.
As a journalist, I watch the narratives that are being presented by all sides of politics, some make me afraid, and some make me wish I had a voice — that I had a say.
It’s ironic isn’t it, not being able to have a say in something where everyone keeps talking about you?