Garda National Immigration Bureau removes undocumented residents including seven children with families
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) has deported 52 people who were residing in Ireland without proper documentation, authorities confirmed following an operation conducted Monday.
A special charter flight transported 35 men, 10 women, and seven children to Georgia as part of the enforcement action. The GNIB emphasized that all children were returned accompanied by their families, not separated from parents or guardians.
The deportation represents one of the larger single-flight removals in recent months and comes amid heightened government focus on immigration enforcement. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice issued 3,370 deportation orders in the first nine months—a 40% increase over all of 2024.
A Garda spokesperson said the force continues working closely with the Department of Justice to implement immigration policy regarding the return of those residing illegally in the country.
Context of Enforcement
The operation follows Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris’s recent statement that Ireland’s asylum system “is not working well” and requires serious review—a notable shift from Fine Gael’s traditionally welcoming stance on refugees and migrants.
Georgia has been among the top countries for asylum applications to Ireland, with 690 applications received this year. The deportations suggest many Georgian nationals have exhausted legal avenues to remain in Ireland or failed to comply with immigration requirements.
The removals are part of Ireland’s broader effort to manage irregular migration while balancing humanitarian obligations. Officials have emphasized that deportations are expensive and complex, with European Union policy generally favoring voluntary returns over forced removals when possible.