Garda Immigration Operation Removes 104 Brazilian Nationals from Ireland
Major Garda immigration operation removes 104 Brazilian nationals from Ireland, with voluntary returns increasing significantly following enforcement action.
A two-month operation led by the Garda National Immigration Bureau has resulted in the removal of 104 Brazilian nationals from the state, with a significant increase in voluntary returns following the targeted enforcement action.
Between 1st June and 31st July 2025, the Garda National Immigration Bureau conducted a focused operation targeting Brazilian nationals subject to deportation orders. The comprehensive enforcement action resulted in 42 formal deportations and 62 voluntary returns from Ireland.
The operation's impact extended beyond immediate removals, with nearly 100 new applications for voluntary return submitted since the operation began. This suggests the enforcement action has encouraged others facing deportation orders to engage with official return processes.
Among those deported were 15 individuals who were serving custodial sentences at the time of removal. The operation received support from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, along with the Irish Prison Service.
Investigators discovered that many individuals recorded as holding valid deportation orders within the state are no longer resident in Ireland and are believed to have already returned to Brazil independently. The GNIB continues making enquiries to establish the whereabouts of these individuals.
Detective Chief Superintendent Aidan Minnock, Head of the Garda National Immigration Bureau, said: "This GNIB led operation targeting the removal of Brazilian nationals who are illegal in the State over the past two months demonstrates An Garda Síochána's ongoing commitment to remove persons who are illegal in the State."
He added that the operation follows other recent enforcement actions involving charter flight deportations, emphasising that the GNIB will continue working with stakeholders to ensure immigration compliance.
The operation involved extensive operational searches and targeted enforcement actions across the country. The GNIB noted that administrative immigration functions were transferred to the Department of Justice in 2024, allowing up to 100 Garda immigration officers to focus specifically on investigative and enforcement duties.
This restructuring followed recommendations from the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, streamlining operations whilst maintaining enforcement capabilities.
