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Top 10 FAQs

While you can contact our Information Service or Racism Reporting Hotline during opening hours, there are a few Frequently Asked Questions which may be of assistance to you in making the call or finding out about our services. If you would like to find out about your rights in relation to immigration, reporting racism or as a victim of trafficking, you may wish to visit our Know Your Rights section for more detailed information.

What happens when I call for information?

When you call our information services you will speak to a member of our information team. They will ask you what kind of question you have and possibly for some background information so they can better understand your question. It would be helpful if you can have any documents or paperwork related to your question close by in case you need to check anything.

Once the team member has the information they need, they will let you know the next steps. They might be able to tell you everything you need to know right away, or if they need to do some research they will take your details and arrange when to speak to you next.

I don’t speak English very well. Can you help?

If you or a friend can call us and tell us a little bit about what you need and what language(s) you speak we will do our best to organise assistance.

I need assistance but am undocumented – is it safe to say this?

Yes, we offer a confidential service, so if you call our information line you can tell us any facts about your immigration status. We are a charity and not a State agency or connected to INIS or GNIB, and we will not pass on any information you give us without your permission.

Are your services confidential?

Both our information services and racism reporting hotline are confidential services. The only exception to this confidentiality is if the safety of a child is in question, or if we are given information about a threat to the safety of a person or people.

What can I expect if I am looking for legal assistance on a case?

Unfortunately we cannot take every legal case that comes to us because we have very limited resources. We can talk to you about the problem you are facing, and see who would be the best person to help you.

We might suggest there is another organisation or a solicitor who would be best suited to providing you with assistance, or give you advice about alternative options. In many cases our information team will be able to help you with applications or give suggestions for next steps.

How can you help me if I have experienced racism?

No one should experience racism, but unfortunately racist incidents are a daily reality in Ireland. It is very important that there is a record of these incidents so that we can understand where racism happens to create the best solutions.

If you experience or are witness to a racist incident in Ireland, you can [report it to us]. We can take information by email (stopracism@immigrantcouncil.ie), phone and/or arrange an appointment to meet with you if needed. Sometimes all you need is to talk to someone about what happens who can understand its significance.

If you decide to make a report to the Gardaí, we can talk to you about how to do this and what to expect. Unfortunately we do not have hate crime laws in Ireland at the minute, but the Gardaí do record racism as a motivating factor behind other types of crimes. Depending on where the incident took place, whether you know the person involved or if it is a recurring issue, the next steps can vary. We will be happy to discuss all options with you.

Can I make a query or report on behalf of a friend or family member?

Yes, you can call us on behalf of someone else. We do not require proof of identity in our information services, and can give advice to any individual. However, if the information is private or personal, we might suggest the person gets in touch with us directly.

I work with migrant children – where can I find information about their needs?

Immigration policy relating to migrant children, or children with migrant parents, are quite singular. For example, did you know that migrant children automatically come under their parent’s immigration status, but should be registered at age 16? It’s very important that people working with child migrants, whether in schools, a care setting or as social workers, understand both the cultural and legal systems that are particular to them.

You can visit our Child Migration Matters for information about our work in this area, and read our latest research to find out what laws relate to the young people you work with. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

Can you help with information about migration out of Ireland?

The laws relating to immigration and travel into and out of Ireland are very different, and our expertise is relating to people travelling into Ireland. If you are in Ireland and planning a trip or a move abroad, it might help to visit the Citizens Information website or a local centre.

Do you have an online or walk-in service?

Our information services are operated through our phone lines only. We are a small team and have found that this is the best way to support as many people as possible. Our former walk-in service led to large numbers of people waiting in what is quite often cold weather, and we could not guarantee we could speak to everyone who queued. Unfortunately we do not have the capacity to offer an online chat service, and cannot offer immigration advice through our social media platforms.

You can email us your question, but the best way to get in touch with us is through our Helpline.

What can I do to support those affected by the refugee crisis?

Mass migration is currently happening on a scale beyond anything we’ve seen since the World Wars and it is leaving people is desperately dangerous and unsafe situations. Thankfully, the Irish people have been extremely understanding and supportive of the children, women and men affected by international conflict who are seeking safety. You can find out about our work on the crisis here, support our work, but if you want to take practical steps TED has some great suggestions for what you can do in your community.

Please feel welcome to get in touch with us if you would like to organise an event, or get in touch with our partners in Cities of Sanctuary if your place of work would like to get involved.

I am concerned about someone I think could be trafficked or held in a brothel. What should I do?

If you are concerned for someone’s safety or have a suspicion that someone may be a victim of trafficking, it is very important to report these concerns. We have limited office hours and are not a State agency, so we recommend calling the Gardaí.

You can reach the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit through the Blue Blindfold campaign. Their phone line, 1800 25 00 25, is open from 9am-9pm; outside these hours it is best to call 999.

Can I give you feedback about your services?

Yes, please!

We love to hear when we’ve done something well, or when there is something we can improve. The challenges migrant people and their families are facing change regularly, and it is so important that we adapt and change with them. We want to make sure we offer the best possible services, and are grateful to anyone who takes the time to let us know how their experience with us was.

We strive to always do our best, but if there is something you weren’t happy with you can view our complaints procedure. You can get in touch with us any time here link.

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About

Who We Are

  • Vision & Mission
  • Meet the Team
  • Board of Directors
  • Work With Us

What We've Done

  • Impact Statement
  • Our Stories

How We Work

  • Our Process
  • Working in Partnership
  • Independent Law Centre
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Get Help

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  • Call Us
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Your rights

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