All diplomatic channels must be used and explored by the Government in order to convince US senators to pass legislation to legalise the status of undocumented Irish emigrants to the USA.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil councillor Ollie Crowe who will table a motion to this effect at next Monday’s Galway City Council meeting.
There are approximately 50,000 undocumented Irish, including from Galway city and county, who, because of their legal status, were unable to leave the US to visit their families this Christmas.
In December, New York senator Charles Schumer introduced a bill to facilitate the integration of undocumented immigrants and create a new visa programme for Irish and US citizens. If passed, this would allow Irish nationals working in a speciality occupation to take up permanent residence in the US, along with their spouses and children.
“We need to ensure the 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US are free to come home to see their friends and family next Christmas,” said Cllr Crowe. “Parents and families are tormented that their loved ones are unable to return to Ireland in fear of being caught by US immigration authorities.”
He also pointed out that with approximately 4,400 additional Irish citizens leaving for the US each year, there is “an urgent need to insure a legal pathway exists for emigrants”.
Although the Government has stated it is committed to pursuing immigration reform in the US, Cllr Crowe alleges that this is “yet another false promise”.
“Fine Gael’s 2011 election Manifesto stressed the importance of achieving immigration reform for the undocumented Irish. Last May, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, indicated he would have the power to appoint a senator to represent the Irish Diaspora,” said Cllr Crowe.
“We are still awaiting an announcement for a dedicated senator, and there has been little or no advancement this side of the Atlantic to insuring Ireland’s expatriates are included in the revision of the United States’ E3 Visa.”
Cllr Crowe said the Government needs to remind the US of the “unique relationship between our two countries”, but that this will “not happen without our Government’s active participation”.
