Mateo
Helping Mother and Son to Reunite
Child migrants represent one of the most vulnerable groups of migrants in Ireland. This remains an area of focus for our work at the Immigrant Council.
Each year we partner with national and international organisations to provide legal and practical support through many projects and programmes to address these unique needs, such as the Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) project. The project helps young people who have been granted refugee status or other protection to reunite with their families in Ireland by providing free legal aid.
Our solicitors and trained volunteers work with the young people to navigate the system and secure their rights and new lives in Ireland.
Helping Mother and Son to Reunite
Mateo came alone to Ireland when he was 16 years old, after fleeing Albania because he feared for his safety. After being granted refugee status, Mateo was eager to be reunified with his mother, who he had not seen for almost five years.
Mateo’s social worker from Tusla Child and Family Agency referred him to the Immigrant Council for help and advice. Our legal team provided Mateo with information about his rights and provided a full screening of his eligibility and case details.
When he was ready to proceed, the Immigrant Council brought in pro bono lawyers to help Mateo make an application for family reunification.
Complexities and delays in the case meant that without the assistance provided by the Immigrant Council and the pro bono lawyers, Mateo’s case may not have been able to proceed.
Although Mateo was unable to meet with his pro bono lawyers in person due to COVID-19, the Immigrant Council and A&L Goodbody ensured that he received all the information and assistance he needed remotely so that he would not have to delay his application any further.
"It’s been great. The solicitors have all been very nice and have helped me all the way through. I was given lots of information. I’m glad that I have had this legal advice. Without them it would have been a mess. It would have taken much longer and been really confusing."
-Mateo
Please note to protect his privacy, we have used a different name and photo for the child.
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If you would like to share your story to raise awareness about the issues and experiences around being a migrant in Ireland, please get in touch! We'd love to hear from you.