Issue of U.S. Immigration Reform ‘Critical’ for 50,000 Undocumented Irish
BOSTON – At its recent annual general meeting in Boston the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres encouraged its members from across the United States to continue to fight for comprehensive immigration reform. Bart Murphy, the CIIC President, urged all present to continue to press for reform that would help Irish immigrants.
Murphy stated that despite recent setbacks “the campaign for justice for hardworking immigrants will go on.” Representatives from immigration centres were reminded that March was a month that will go down in history as one where the voices of immigrants really made a difference.
Local lobbying, Town Hall meetings and the ILIR gathering of 2,500 Irish immigrants in Washington, D.C. on March 8 helped to put the issue of comprehensive immigration reform on to the political agenda.
“This issue is critical,” said Murphy, “It cannot be dropped or pushed to the side and the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres is committed to ensuring a positive outcome that will provide a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish immigrants in the U.S.”
The hard work of all the Irish Immigrant Centres present – Boston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Chicago, Ocean City, Milwaukee, and Seattle – was recognized by Minister for State in the Department of Foreign Affairs Noel Treacy who addressed the meeting. Minister Treacy was thanked for his work and the efforts of the Irish Government on behalf of Irish immigrants.
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