By Mairead Carey

Thousands of immigrants whose children were born in Ireland saw their Christmas wish come true on Tuesday. Under a new government proposal they are now to be given a second chance to apply to remain in this country. 

Applicants who can prove their identity, show they have not left the state since the birth of their child and are of “good character” will receive favorable consideration under the new scheme. 

Up to 17,000 people are likely to claim residency on the basis of having children in Ireland. A Supreme Court ruling in January 2003 meant that they were no longer entitled to reside here as a result of their citizen children.

Under the new scheme successful applicants will have five years to find work and make a life for themselves in Ireland. They will be obliged to cooperate with authorities and make efforts to become self-sufficient before being granted permanent residency. 

Any applicant who is deemed to be of bad character, or who provides false information, will have their applications rejected and face deportation.

Those who are successful will not be entitled to bring other family members or children from abroad to live with them in Ireland, however. 

The scheme, which is expected to be up and running by the New Year, has been welcomed by human rights groups. 

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) said it hoped the new proposal would be “a transparent, fair and human rights based policy.”

“The proposals could offer a real opportunity to bring to an end what has been an unnecessary and unjust policy. While there are many details to be resolved, we will be looking to ensure that the proposals guarantee full respect for the constitutional and human rights of the families,” said ICCL director Aisling Reidy.

The Coalition Against the Deportation of Irish Children (CADIC) said the news would be a “welcome message” for families whose lives had been on hold for at least two years.

“Their children were born here before the government decided to change policy. They have faced nothing but uncertainty and anxiety and this will at least offer them some hope that this limbo will end soon,” said spokeswoman Salome Mbugua. 

Opposition parties have also welcomed the move. Labor spokesman on justice Joe Costello said that since the Supreme Court judgment thousands of people have been living in fear of deportation and being forcibly separated from their children. 

Since that referendum a child born in Ireland of non-national parents is only entitled to citizenship if one of the parents has lived lawfully in the state for at least three of the preceding four years before the birth.