Immigration figures - Where are they gone?

GOVERNMENT figures that suggest nearly 6,000 people who have not satisfied residency requirements are evading deportation is disquieting.

Though the Garda National Immigration Bureau admits it does not know where these people are, their suggestion that most have left the jurisdiction is not good enough. Thankfully this country has welcomed substantial numbers of immigrants without any great conflict. We have been spared the social unrest that so often follows resentment towards immigrants.

If that situation is to continue, especially in a contracting economy, we need to have faith in our immigration services. And just as importantly, immigrants who are here legally should not be vulnerable to accusations of spurious residency.