Ireland spends $853,000 to deport 42 South Africans as migration tensions rise across Africa’s largest economy
Ireland has deported 42 South African nationals who were living illegally in the country, at an initial cost of €735,000 ($853,000), as South Africa faces renewed debate over migration, xenophobia and the presence of undocumented foreign nationals.
According to the Irish Times, deportation orders were issued after the individuals were found to be living illegally in the State and failed to take up the option of voluntary return to South Africa.
Following the orders, the Garda National Immigration Bureau carried out the operation on Thursday, removing 42 South African nationals from Ireland.
Among those deported were 27 adults, including nine men and 18 women, and 15 children travelling as part of family groups, while Irish authorities said two of the deportees had criminal convictions in Ireland.
The deportees were subsequently placed on a chartered flight, which left Dublin on Thursday afternoon and arrived in South Africa on Friday morning.
The operation was said to have cost the Irish State an initial €735,000 ($843,662), equivalent to about €17,500 ($20,087) for each person deported.
“Gardaí continue to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy and the Irish Prison Service in the implementation of these operations”, a spokesperson added.
Ireland defends removals
South Africa is considered a safe country by the Irish State, according to the report, although South Africans can still apply for asylum in Ireland if they provide documentary proof that they are unsafe.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, said most South Africans living in Ireland were in the country legally.
“Our immigration system must be rules-based and robust,” he added.
“The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure there is public confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.”
O’Callaghan said the €735,000 cost of Thursday’s deportation was only an initial figure, with the final cost expected after the invoicing process is completed.
Thursday’s charter flight was Ireland’s fourth deportation operation in 2026, after three earlier operations removed 130 people from the State, including 67 EU citizens deported on grounds of criminality, according to O’Callaghan.
In 2025, Ireland conducted six charter operations that removed 205 people from the State, including 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and 23 EU nationals.
South Africa migration pressure
The deportations come as South Africa, Africa’s largest economy, faces renewed pressure over undocumented foreign nationals, after anti-migrant groups called for undocumented African nationals to leave the country by June 30.
The South African government has not issued an official national deadline, but the campaign has raised concern among migrant communities.
South Africa remains one of Africa’s main destinations for migrants from countries including Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, unemployment of 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026 has intensified pressure on jobs and public services, fuelling tension in several communities.
The country has also recorded repeated episodes of xenophobic violence targeting African migrants, informal traders and foreign-owned businesses.
The return of deported South Africans from Ireland adds another layer to the debate, as Pretoria faces pressure over citizens returning from abroad while managing rising calls for action against undocumented migrants at home.
