UCC Students’ Union urge the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, to revoke the deportation order for 1st year UCC student, Hamza Khan. 

Hamza is a 20 year old Sanctuary Scholar studying computer science in his first year in UCC. Hamza applied for the UCC Sanctuary Scholarship and, after being ranked among the top applicants, he joined UCC in 2019 as one of UCC’s second cohort of undergraduate Sanctuary Scholars. 

Hamza is part of our community here in UCC and has done nothing but excel since his family arrived to Ireland in 2017. Not only did Hamza achieve a strong Leaving Cert, he also won the Most Improved Student award in 2018 and the Student of the Year award in 2019, both from his previous school Deerpark CBS Cork City. 

Hamza, his sister, three younger brothers and parents have been advised that they will not be allowed to apply for international protection in Ireland, and are facing possible removal from the country this week. Hamza's three younger brothers are current students at Deerpark CBS.

Students and staff fought and worked incredibly hard for UCC to be designated a University of Sanctuary. We fought hard so refugees and asylum seekers alike could access higher education and improve their lives and education. This deportation order undermines the hard work of students, staff and most importantly, our sanctuary scholars who have done, and continue to do, outstanding work to be part of our community here in UCC.

The removal of Hamza and his family from the state would put an end to their meaningful access to higher education. UCC Students' Union call on the Minister for Justice and Equality to stop this deportation order and to support Hamza and his family in applying for internation protection in Ireland.

Please sign this petition to save Hamza and his family. #SaveHamza