Multi Agency Day of Action to Target Abuses of Immigration Legislation and Processes around Public Service Licence Vehicles (PSV) 5/03/19
On the 5/03/19 The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) led an operation, supported by members attached to Special Crime Operations, Roads Policing, DMR West Traffic Corps, the Carriage Office, the Garda Analyst Service, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, the Department of Social Protection and the National Transport Authority.
A total of ten (10) searches on residential properties, involving ninety (90) personnel took place in Lucan and the north inner city areas at 8am under search warrant.
This was the latest phase of an investigation led by Operation Vantage, GNIB which has to date uncovered a total of one hundred and thirty four (134) cases where the PSV licence holder or PSV applicant is subject to ongoing investigation where the immigration status of the individual is of concern.
Of the one hundred and thirty four (134) cases a total of sixty-four (64) investigations have been finalised and have been forwarded to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) to date. This has resulted in the revocation of fifty-five (55) immigration permissions, of the fifty-five cases a total of twenty-five (25) persons are now subject to deportation proceedings to date. Four (4) persons have been arrested on foot of deportation orders with two (2) of those already removed from the State.
Following these searches a total of fifteen (15) further persons have been identified for investigation where marriage of convenience and fraud has been uncovered. Seven (7) further persons were found to be present in the State without any immigration permission, and are now subject to immigration controls, with one (1) arrested for immigration related offences.
Valuable intelligence has been gathered and a large number of documents are now subject to examination.
Note:
Deportation Process
The deportation process commences when an individual has no immigration permission to be in the State or is subject to the revocation of an immigration permission. The provision for a deportation order is provided under the Immigration Act (Section 3).
When an individual is subject to a deportation order the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service notify that individual in writing and they are afforded 15 days to respond. Representations can be made to the Minister for Justice in respect of why the individual should not be subject to a deportation order, the individual can also consent to deportation and can leave the State voluntarily.
Following this process if a deportation order issues that person is served with the notice of deportation and an arrangements letter which requires them to present to the GNIB. Again they can voluntarily depart the State and have 28 days in which to do so. There is also a further opportunity to make representations in respect of the order.
