Thread by @MigrantRightsIr

NEW infographic:

There are undocumented children and young people in every county in Ireland. We surveyed 108 parents to find out more about this often-ignored population: #undocyouthIRL

We’re talking about children spending their formative years here in Ireland, going to school here, living here long term. They’re part of Ireland - being undocumented doesn’t change that. #undocyouthIRL

Kicking off our #undocyouthIRL press conference now - @edelmcginley says MRCI has been working with undocumented families for 18 years now, and about 1/3 of the 2,000 people who come to our drop-in centre every year are undocumented.

#undocyouthIRL Our youth worker @MaireadMcdevitt says that this is the first survey of its kind in Ireland, giving us an unprecedented picture of undocumented children and young people in Ireland.

"These are Irish-educated children and young people - the average length of time in Irish education is 5 years, with 8% spending more than 10 years in Irish schools." #undocyouthIRL

Rashmi is undocumented, a founder member of our Young, Paperless & Powerful group. "Dublin has been my home for the past 16 years. I went to primary and secondary school here. All of my friends are here. I have family who are Irish." #undocyouthIRL

"Being undocumented is holding me back on so many levels, in terms of my mental wellbeing, in terms of my ability to reach my full potential and contribute the way I know I can." #undocyouthIRL

Huge round of applause for Rashmi in the room here. We're so proud of her and so inspired by her courage. #undocyouthIRL

"We're calling on the Minister and the Government to find some way to regularise Rashmi and all undocumented children and young people in Ireland. There are simple solutions to make this happen." @Tanya_Ward of @ChildRightsIRL #undocyouthIRL

We're deeply grateful to have had the support of @ChildRightsIRL and @Tanya_Ward over the years of the Young, Paperless & Powerful campaign. #undocyouthIRL

You can watch the film made by Rashmi and the other young campaigners of Young, Paperless & Powerful here: vimeo.com/301863642 #undocyouthIRL

"When you live your life as an undocumented person, you're always afraid that there's going to be a knock on the door and you'll be taken away...children and young people cannot grow up in that insecurity." - @Tanya_Ward @ChildRightsIRL #undocyouthIRL

"Being part of the YPP campaign has empowered me to let go of that fear a little bit and to speak out." - Rashmi #undocyouthIRL

"If there is a child in school right now…maybe me speaking out will make them feel less alone, because I felt alone back then. If I can help someone tell their friends that they're undocumented, by sitting here today, then I've done my piece." -Rashmi ❤️ #undocyouthIRL

#undocyouthIRL @AnneRabbitte notes that there are over 400 undocumented people in Gort, including many children, who are part of the community there.

#undocyouthIRL @frances_black tells Rashmi she is an inspiration, and hopes we'll see her working in Leinster House one day ✊🧡