American mum to stay following State exemption
Erin Britton and her son Aidan
Thursday December 20 2007
An American student threatened with deportation unless her toddler was taken out of a State-run school has been told she can stay in Ireland.
Erin Britton will be able to continue her studies. However, she described the decision as a "band-aid" solution because other students may not get the same exemption.
The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) welcomed the decision by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, allowing Ms Britton to remain here and continue studying at NUI Galway.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Ms Britton said she was pleased with the decision, which means her son Aidan can continue to attend the Claddagh National School in Galway.
However she fears other international students would not be treated similarly.
She said: "I feel the problem has simply been band-aided by the government.
"They have made an exception for me and I am of course pleased to be able to continue my studies in Galway University.
"But the problem is not really over. I really think it is sad that the policy is not going to be changed. I feel it is a bit of discrimination," she said.
The decision came after Ms Britton was granted leave to apply for a judicial review of her case at the High Court on Monday.
"Mrs Britton came to Ireland to study a two-year masters programme in Medieval Studies at NUI Galway in 2006 and was not told before she came here, or on her arrival, that a condition of her permission to stay was that her son must not attend a State school," ICI solicitor Hikka Becker told the court.
However, Ms Becker said Ms Britton received a call from the immigration bureau on Tuesday informing her that her permit would be renewed, without having to take her son out of school."
- Brian McDonald and Allison Bray
