THE Irish immigration system has been heavily criticised for its ineptitude during the coronavirus crisis.
The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) have called on the government to make drastic changes to their current system following reports of a plethora of inconsistencies and needless delays for those attempting to enter or re-enter the country.
It's also understood that a Pakistani man - who has lived and worked in Ireland for 10 years - had his phone taken off him and had private text messages to his wife scrutinised by Dublin Airport immigration officials who wanted to verify that he was actually married as he tried to fly back into the country from Poland.
After officials even went through private pictures he had of his family, the Pakistani man said he felt totally humiliated.
"Do I always have to show me and my wife's conversation when I am coming to Ireland? Do I have to prove my relationship all the time? For what am I being penalised? I don't know," Ali said.
"I felt as if I have done a crime that I am living here for 10 years, paying tax all that time."
ICI CEO Brian Killoran has since stressed that the government must revamp their immigration system and that the recent disruptions during the Covid-19 crisis have only magnified pre-existing issues with the administration.
"Time and again we hear from clients who face inconsistencies, discrepancies and delays in their application," Killoran said.
"Problems then come when they legitimately apply for visa renewals or even citizenship applications and get penalised for delays which aren't their fault.
"With some responsibilities being moved from the Department of Justice, including Direct Provision, this is the perfect time for [the government] to prioritise the development of an efficient immigration system which better meets the needs of both those using it and those providing the administration."
