Irish Government Passes Resolution Supporting Changes to U.S. Immigration
DUBLIN - The Government has unanimously passed a resolution supporting the bipartisan “Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act” proposed in the U.S. Senate and in the House of Representatives.
The motion was introduced backing United States legislation, introduced by Senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy on May 12, that would allow undocumented workers to apply for temporary visas after paying a fine.
The move is ultimately designed to assist the thousands of Irish people believed to be working illegally among the estimated 10 million illegals in the U.S. There are up to 25,000 undocumented Irish in the U.S. who cannot return home for a visit and this imposes significant hardship on their families in Ireland, including in many cases elderly parents.
Opening the two hour debate on the subject, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, introduced the motion. He said, “I move that Dáil Eireann, concerned at the plight of undocumented Irish people living in difficult circumstances in the United States of America welcomes the high priority being given by the U.S. President and Congress to addressing the issue of immigration reform in a way which takes account of the particular position of the undocumented, and also of the security of U.S. borders.”
One the highlights the Minister touched upon was the Irish experience in relation to emigration, saying: “Emigration is a central theme of the Irish experience. Generations of our people were all too familiar with the searing pain of separation, loss and isolation. Communities throughout this island were left stagnant as their youth sought economic opportunities elsewhere. The “hemorrhaging” of our young was accepted by many as the depressing norm.
“Fortunately, our recent economic success has reversed this trend. Figures released last month by the CSO estimate that in 2005 as many as 19,000 Irish nationals will return to Ireland, while the numbers emigrating will drop to 16,600. Indeed, many of the latter are thought to be young people taking a year off to travel before returning to work or college at home.
“For the first time in our history, we are creating sufficient job opportunities to employ all our working age citizens. As a people we should take particular pride in this achievement. But we should never forget the trauma of the past nor the plight of those who remain in difficulty abroad.
“There is a danger that the sustained prosperity of the past decade could dim the collective memory of how painful or recent the waves of emigration were. The second half of the Twentieth Century witnessed two periods of intense emigration. Some 400,000 people left Ireland in the 1950s. In the 1980s, we suffered a further heavy outflow.
“As the House is aware, many of those forced to leave during the 1980s went to the USA and many of the problems this group encountered are replicated in the case of today's undocumented. Though the numbers affected today are much less than in the past, the individual experience of isolation and uncertainty remains the same.
“While we take great satisfaction in fresh opportunities at home, we must recognize that our new prosperity brings new responsibilities. Meeting the needs of our community living abroad is one such responsibility. I want to assure the House that the Government is more committed than ever to representing their interests.”
“The fact that there is no firm figure for the current number of undocumented tells us a lot about the nature of the problem. The undocumented stay below the radar, fearful of detection. We have heard of various estimates. A figure of 3,000 undocumented Irish people has been estimated by U.S. authorities but this certainly seems to be a low estimate. Some in the Irish community in the U.S. consider that the numbers may be as high as 50,000. The true figure is probably closer to 25,000.
“Overall, the essential problem of the undocumented is not its size. It is the nature of the undocumented experience, rather than the number, that should be our focus. For the undocumented, the stress of separation, the strain and anxiety of living in the shadows, and the deep sadness of being unable to return to Ireland to visit ageing parents, or to attend family occasions such as weddings or funerals, remains very traumatic.
“These people work hard. They contribute positively to their communities and to their adopted country. They rightly take pride in their achievements. They are anxious to have the opportunity to come out of the shadows and regularize their status. They deserve our support and the support of the Irish people.
The Minister said, “We all appreciate that immigration is a sensitive and a divisive issue in the U.S., in particular since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Security considerations are understandably very much to the fore.
“The challenge facing U.S. legislators is to secure consensus around a comprehensive set of reforms which addresses both the situation facing the undocumented and the need for increased security of borders.
“I am acutely aware of the complexity of this task and deeply appreciative the high priority which President Bush attaches to it. When the Taoiseach and I met with him on St. Patrick' s Day, Mr. Bush assured us of his commitment to making progress and advancing the issue in Congress.
“We also welcome the commitment of many members of Congress to finding a solution in a pragmatic and compassionate way. In my meetings with Senator Kennedy and Senator McCain, and other political leaders on the Hill, I have been struck by the strength of their personal commitment to immigration reform.
“The tabling last May of the bipartisan Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act by Senators Kennedy and McCain, and Representatives Kolbe, Flake and Gutierrez represents a very constructive and comprehensive response to immigration and border security concerns.
“The Bill, if adopted, would open a route to legality for undocumented people, including the undocumented Irish. They could regularize their status by applying for a temporary residency visa. They would receive work and travel authorization. They could come out of the shadows and generally enjoy greater peace of mind. Significantly, they could travel to and from Ireland without fear of being refused re-entry. They would also have greater protection in the work place, and be eligible for health insurance.
“A further attractive aspect of the Kennedy/McCain proposal is that it includes provision for a path to permanent residency. Holders of temporary visas could, in due course, apply for a green card once qualifying criteria is met. This would be a particularly welcome development.
“It is still too early to say how the debate within Congress may develop in the period ahead. What is clear is that the Administration and Congress regard immigration as a priority area and are keen to advance the debate. Nothing, however, can be assumed or taken for granted, beyond the reality that the debate in both Houses of Congress will be lengthy and lively.
“I can assure the House that the Government will continue to strongly support all measures which would benefit our community in the U.S. In addition to our political contacts, our Ambassador and diplomats in the US will remain active on this issue, and meet regularly with contacts on the Hill.
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For more information on the “Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act” proposed in the U.S. Senate and in the House of Representatives , visit: www.usccb.org/mrs/legislationsponsors.shtml.
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