An Irish national, Michael O’Keeffe, recently expressed concerns on X (formerly Twitter) about the growing number of Nigerian immigrants in Ireland, suggesting it may affect the native population.
O’Keeffe, who uses the handle @Mick_O_Keeffe, shared a video of a Nigerian man who recently moved to Ireland with his wife and seven children under asylum status.
As of now, Punch Metro has not verified the immigration status of the Nigerian family or confirmed any legal violations by the Irish government.
According to the Irish Times on July 12, 2024, Ireland saw a 93.9% increase in asylum applications in the first half of 2024, with 10,604 applicants by June compared to 5,470 in the same period in 2023.
The report also noted that 11,227 asylum seekers were in Ireland as of July 9, 2024.
The Irish Times reported that 31,473 individuals are currently seeking international protection in Ireland, with a significant rise attributed to Nigerian applicants.
The number of Nigerians seeking asylum in the first half of 2024 increased from 764 to 2,999, making Nigeria the largest single source of asylum seekers this year.
Seeking asylum in Ireland is legal, and applicants may be granted refugee or subsidiary protection status if they can demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution.
Nigeria is not on the recently revised list of safe countries of origin, which affects the asylum process.
O’Keeffe’s video and comments, which have gone viral, argue that the influx of Nigerian asylum seekers and the associated family reunification cases are unsustainable.
He cited that there are currently 6,295 Nigerians claiming asylum in Ireland and reported 173 requests for family reunification last month.
The video has sparked mixed reactions online. Supporters argue that asylum seekers contribute positively to the economy and integrate well, while critics, such as @seanahollywood, have expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the family’s claims. Others, like @AuBear21, countered that past instances of British migration were much more disruptive.
Overall, the debate reflects broader concerns about immigration and asylum policies, drawing parallels with historical migration patterns and highlighting varying public opinions on the issue
