Monthly Archives: November 2012

It was a pleasure to host Congressman Bruce Morrison who gave a very informative and worthwhile presentation on the Undocumented Irish in the United States to Members of the Oireachtas this evening in Leinster House

Immigration reform seems likely as GOP Speaker and Obama pledge support

After House Republican Speaker John Boehner came out in support of comprehensive immigration reform Irish politicians have been making their voices heard on the issue which affects up to 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US and the future flow of immigrants.

Senator Mark Daly of Fianna Fail stated “This week’s U.S. Presidential election has made members within the Republican Party reconsider their stance towards undocumented workers.

“Hopefully a compromise can be reached to finally offer an amnesty for the 50,000 Irish in America who are undocumented.

Newry and Mourne Sinn Féin Councillor Pat McGinn said he feels confident that Barack Obama’s administration will move on  comprehensive immigration reform.

He said “The President himself has recognized that the immigration system is broken and needs fixed. For the majority of people caught up in the nightmare of being classed as an illegal immigrant, there is currently no legal way to apply to become a resident/citizen of the United States. In his election victory speech he highlighted immigration as one of the issues he would address.”

He added “I along with all those who are working to highlight and address the plight of the undocumented Irish living in the USA, am committed to make sure that this is the last generation of Irish in America that has to listen to a family member’s funeral on the telephone. It is our goal that this is the last generation of Irish to be undocumented in America”.

Earlier this week Eamon Gilmore also stated that Barack Obama’s reelection to the White House brings new hope for immigration reform.

On Morning Ireland, RTE’s radio show, he said “Although that was mentioned in his first term, it didn’t materialise at all. I think that is because there is a recognition in the US administration that investment is a two-way street.”

Similarly Ireland’s President Michael D Higgins said, in a letter of congratulations to Obama “The very close and warm relationship between Ireland and the United States has, with your help and encouragement, prospered during your tenure.

“I am confident that, under your leadership, our bilateral relations will be further advanced during the next four years.”

US Congressman, Bruce Morrison will visit Ireland next week where he will address members of the Oireachtas on proposals to resolve the huge issue of undocumented Irish in the US.

Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly, who has organised the visit, said the issue of undocumented Irish is going to be given huge prominence in the US over the coming months.

House Republican Speaker, Congressman John Boehner has spoken of the need for a bipartisan approach to comprehensive immigration reform. “A comprehensive approach is long overdue, and I’m confident that the president, myself, others can find the common ground to take care of this issue once and for all.”

“There are as many as 50,000 undocumented Irish living in the US at the moment, with the economic circumstances we have here, people feel they can’t go home and in many cases are stuck in limbo,” said Senator Daly. “These are hard-working people who went out to America to seek a better life; some have been there over 20 years and they have families, children and even great-grandchildren. It is tragic that 50,000 Irish people can’t go home to see their loved ones for weddings, birthdays and family occasions.

“The vast majority of the undocumented Irish would love to become legally recognised in the US. They hold down good jobs and contribute handsomely to the American economy. There have been many attempts over the last number of years to formulate legislation to offer an amnesty for undocumented workers but each time this was voted down.

“One of the most prominent advocates of the undocumented Irish has been former Congressman Bruce Morrison. He is famous for the Morrison Visa initiative which offered 40,000 green cards to non-Americans in the 1980s.

“This week’s US Presidential election has made members within the Republican Party reconsider their stance towards undocumented workers. Hopefully a compromise can be reached to finally offer an amnesty for the 50,000 Irish in America who are undocumented.

“Former Congressman Morrison is one of the recognised leaders in the United States on the immigration issue and his address to members of the Oireachtas is sure to be informative and extremely worthwhile.”

Dramatic shift as House Speaker Boehner now backs immigration reform

Vice President Joe Biden ‘very optimistic’ as even Sean Hannity agrees

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House Speaker John Boehner

Photo by Michael Reynolds / EPA

In a major breakthrough House Republican Speaker John Boehner has come out in favor of comprehensive immigration reform.

“This issue has been around far too long,” Boehner said in an ABC interview. “A comprehensive approach is long overdue, and I’m confident that the president, myself, others can find the common ground to take care of this issue once and for all.”

Exit polls from this week’s election showed 70 per cent in favor of comprehensive reform. The GOP lost the Hispanic vote by a record margin mostly on the issue of immigration reform.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), chairman of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee, said Boehner’s comments represented a “breakthrough.”

There are an estimated 30,000 Irish undocumented who would benefit from immigration reform. Previous bills have failed because of Hispanic opposition.

Meanwhile, newly re-elected Vice President Joe Biden is “very optimistic about … immigration reform” given the makeup of the Senate.

Biden said the 55 Democrats in the Senate were going to have to work alongside the Republicans to make compromises all round and figure out the best “formula” for immigration reform.

The VP said, “Barack’s re-elected, so this sort of cause to keep a second term from happening is done. He’s there for four years. So … I hope there’s going to be some real soul-searching about, on Republican Party, about what they’re willing to cooperate on.”

The Irish American politician was speaking to the press aboard Air Force Two when he said, “If you take a look at the makeup of the Senate now, I’ve been saying all along, I believe there are a half a dozen Republican senators all along who have been under different circumstances prepared to actually compromise.”

Read more: Barack Obama owes victory to Hispanics, Clinton, women and blacks

He continued, “We’re going to have to compromise too. It’s not like we’re going to go in and say, this is our deal. Take it or leave it. “

The Vice President went on to comment on the power which immigrants have in the United States. He noted that the Hispanic community played a great part in getting President Obama re-elected.

He said, “I feel very optimistic about, in my view, immigration reform. Because as we talked about with most of the Hispanic communities I spoke with over the last month, it played a major role. And that’s got to be a wake up call for a lot of my Republican colleagues who, like John McCain in the past, wanted to do something but felt – I don’t know what – I don’t know what slowed them finally. But I think it’s a different day. How it’s going to turn out, I don’t know, but the president and I are getting to work.

Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Dramatic-shift-as-House-Speaker-Boehner-now-backs-immigration-reform-178074731.html#ixzz2BkPOkkb9