Illegal immigrants to be given ‘bridging visa’

SEVERAL thousand illegal immigrants open to immediate expulsion are to be allowed stay in the country for at least four months under legislation published yesterday.

The group is comprised of citizens from outside the EU whose work permits have expired for a variety of reasons, making them ineligible to stay here.

The main purpose of the scheme, which the Department of Justice said is on an ex-gratia basis, is to allow the people time to seek legitimate employment or, if they are already employed, obtain an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.