Latest:

20:12 Coolderry claim final spot
20:02 Mother and son die in house fire
19:52 30m Iranians lose access to email
19:42 Adebayor inspires Spurs romp
18:22 Protesters show Syria solidarity
18:12 England claim narrow Italy victory
17:22 Blackburn edge past QPR
17:22 McArthur clinches Wigan victory

Obama may make 50,000 illegal Irish US citizens

Friday, 10 April 2009

Irish-American immigration reform lobbyists were celebrating last night following news that President Obama is keen to implement reforms that could ultimately grant American citizenship to some 50,000 undocumented Irish living illegally in the USA.

Kelly Fincham, executive director of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR), warmly welcomed a statement on Wednesday by the President’s newly appointed deputy assistant, Cecilia Munoz, that she is keen to put in place a “policy reform that controls immigration and makes it an orderly system”.

“It’s beyond encouraging,” she said last night. “It’s very good news and in any event, he’s signalling that he’s making it a priority.”

The President is reportedly set to embark on a campaign over the summer to sell the immigration reform package to the US Congress that could see some 12 million illegal immigrants apply for citizenship, albeit with some penalties for breaking the law.

But Bart Murphy, ILIR chairman, said the push for reform is a very welcome sign.

“It’s the start of a new debate. And we at the ILIR will be standing shoulder to shoulder with the various other immigration organizations, pushing for reform, as we have been in the past.”

Former US President George W. Bush had supported an immigration bill that would give legal status to the estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish living in the US but it was defeated in 2007.

However during his election campaign, President Obama said immigration reform would be a key priority during his first term in office. It’s believed he will make a speech on the issue in May.

Print
Text Size
- Normal
- Large
- Extra Large

Comments

First |
Previous
1
2
Next
| Last

24 Comments

Gerry - Your family has my respect. I am sure it is a long and sometimes expensive process. That is why all the amnesties of the the past and propsed future amnesties are so unfair to all who are applying for legal entry into the United States. I sure hope all works out well for the citizenship process.

Mike- Most amnesty proposals do contain a "path to citizenship" process; not immediate but a path to citizenship. And the fine they pay will usually not equal the expense of the legal process. And to make things fair, should the U.S. not let all legal applicants for legal entry, come to the U.S. and work while their application for entry is being processed. Does that sound a little crazy? This is exactly how crazy the system is when an invading illegal alien enters the U.S. and is able to evade the immigration people (ICE) for _____ amount of days, months or years, the open borders crowd claims it is too cruel to deport, law abiding (?) illegal aliens.

Posted by Kelly | 14.04.09, 01:37 GMT

People should have the right to live and work wherever they want, just as capital has unrestricted movement around the world. Labour should enjoy the same rights and privileges as capital.

To my fellow Americans who refuse to welcome immigrants, I'd like to remind you that unless you are a Native American, you are descended from immigrants. But I digress. I would propose a quid pro quo system where citizens of Ireland and the USA could swop their status. In fact, I'll be the first to offer such a trade. Donegal Bay, here I come, Surf City Easkey!

Posted by Surfer | 13.04.09, 05:59 GMT

What about the thousands of people that are going through the convoluted process legally? My family are on green cards, at present about 6 months away from applying for Citizenship unless we get behind the 11+ million illegals, then God only knows.

Posted by Gerry | 12.04.09, 22:16 GMT

Just to straigten the record, no one is proposing giving Citizenship to anyone. What is being proposed is giving Legal Residency, there is a difference.

Posted by Mike | 12.04.09, 15:14 GMT

Cecelia Munoz is a well known open-borders, pro-amnesty advocate who used to work for the ethnocentric La Raza group("The Race"). I have news for her and other amnesty special interests: the vast majority of Americans oppose "comprehensive immigration reform" a/k/a mass amnesty -- especially now with over 13 million Americans desperately looking for work. The uproar will be HUGE if Obama starts peddling amnesty. If Obama is smart, he will avoid this issue like the plague. And my message to my Irish friends: return home and apply the LEGAL way!

Posted by Steve | 12.04.09, 06:44 GMT

Their children must not be starving if the illegal immigrant has in most cases paid $3000 apiece to be lead across the border.

Posted by Kelly | 12.04.09, 02:28 GMT

The undocumented Irish in America are in for a big supprise, in that as a citizen of the USA, they will no longer get free health care and will go broke or die of illness just to live here as a legal citizen. In fact, I wish i could get my citizenship in ireland so i could live a life without fear of getting sick. God help us .. Jim east melbourne florida

I hear ya Jim. For various reasons my permanent migration visa to Australia will no longer be pursued. I do not look forward to returning to the States.

Posted by Brian | 11.04.09, 05:18 GMT

I hope there is no real celebration over the words of Ms. Cecilia Munoz concerning immigration reform. Remember what occurred 2 years ago. There is now a grass roots move that will show itself on April 15. It is remenecient to our Boston Tea Party at the beginning of our revolution against the British Crown. But you can believe that immigration enforcement and taxes are right at the top of the US citizens concerns at nationwide protest next week. If anything but enforcement of immigration laws is considered by the socialists in the US Congress and the White House could be the beginning of more than just peaceful protests

Posted by Jim | 11.04.09, 04:40 GMT

Headlines misleading, typical of the BT. Here in the US no special treatment planned for the Irish above other immigrant groups. Simply a promise by Obama to review the situation for all illegal immigrants. Oddly enough, the biggest proponent for the immigrants was Senator McCain but the world was so enamored with Obama that nobody listened to his ideas....credit to Obama for now reaching out to McCain for advice on the issue

Posted by billy | 11.04.09, 03:38 GMT

There should no amnesty for illegal aliens, regardless from which countty they come. just what makes anyone think that just because they invade the U.S. and live in the U.S. for ____years (fill in the blank) they should receive an amnesty? What about the people all over the world who have filed applications to enter the U.S. legally. Shouldn't they be allowed to enter this country while their application is being consideres. What about the physical examinations and background checks that meny endure. Illegal aliens endure no such checks. Who will check the millions of applications to ensure they are not fraudulent as was the case with the 19896 amnesty. NO< NO< NO! No amnesty for illegal aliens, regaradless of what country they originate. Amnesties only encourage more illegal immigration.

Posted by Kelly | 10.04.09, 21:50 GMT

Isn't this just great?
Many people wait years to come here legally, and this guy, President Obama decides to reward people who defy our laws.
I am no fan of President Obama, so I welcome this mistake as President Bush made the same effort to grant amnesty to illegal aliens.
President Obama will garner the wrath, just as Bush did.
Good for him.

Posted by tude dog | 10.04.09, 19:49 GMT

Yes 50,000 Irish and 11,000,000 Mexican. Obama is willing to give them all free citizenship. I hope he realizes that all these illegals will now be all to persue any job. and compete with American workers. Terrific timing when there a record number
of Americans have lost their jobs. At thew moment that jobless figure is 6,000,000

Posted by Sebastian | 10.04.09, 18:21 GMT

I don't think the illegals will be granted citizenship,but rather legal status to reside and work in the USA. (Expat)

Posted by RMS | 10.04.09, 17:34 GMT

Like Marcia, I came to America 22 years ago on a temporary visa, and I did not want to return home. The only way to stay legally in the country was to go school and I was very fortunate to find the means to do so. In college, I met my wife, and we got married after I atended graduate school. Unlike Marcia, I didn't have a lawyer to steer me through immigration, I did it myself, and after three years of marriage I became an American citizen. I teach American and Irish history today, and I am appalled by how quickly we forget how the Irish (and for that matter most other immigrants) were greeted. They were not met with open arms, but were seen as economic competition (things have not changed). To all those who argue that people should be patient and comply with the immigration laws, if I had have complied I still would be waiting in Belfast today. Anyone who has the courage to leave their native land and try to better themselves is to be admired.

Posted by Patrick | 10.04.09, 17:17 GMT

I know it is a big deal for someone to break the law but folks if I have to break a law to feed my children I would do it.let's face facts how many poor people can produce a bank statement to USA embassy to get a visa and does that mean only the rich travels.Most of the illegals work and pay their taxes yet they don't even get nuttin back because they can't file so in short they are doing their part for the country. I don't even see why people get angry because U.S.A decides to legalise some people expecially those from other country if you think it is not fair go back to your home country maybe your government is fair.

Posted by quam | 10.04.09, 16:32 GMT

And I suppose those who emigrated legally will be more out-of-pocket versus those who will benefit from the reform/amnesty?

I didn't mind paying the legal fees as that was always the choice, but I'm just sick of work dodgers, mortgage dodgers and now legal immigration dodgers enjoying more benefits than those of us who have put forth a greater effort in life.

Posted by Typical | 10.04.09, 14:12 GMT

I came to America on a student visa and prior to its expiration was hired by a school which obtained a visa in another category for me. I married a fellow teacher, an American, almost five years ago and I am not afforded automatic citizenship. I will have to wait for at least two years before I could apply for citizenship and even then would have to pay $1000s in fees to file the vast amount of paperwork this entails. Beyond this, I would have to hire a lawyer to ensure that I addressed each and every question to the satisfaction of the INS. It angers me that so many people, especially from Ireland, broke the law and will now be rewarded with automatic citizenship. I sincerely hope that Obama's plan will fail and these people realize if you truly love the country you will respect its laws before and after you enter.

Posted by Marcia Sullivan | 10.04.09, 13:55 GMT

The Irish, just like the Mexicans, the Chinese, anyone, should obey U.S. Immigration law. If some came here illegally, they should go home and apply to come back under existing rules.

Don't the Irish believe in the rule of law? Don't the Irish believe the U.S., like Ireland, has the right to enforce it's borders? Does Ireland itself allow people who disobey it's immigration laws stay anyway?

America should have more immigration from all over the world - especially from countries with brutal dictatorships or brutal poverty - but it should be legal. If you're here illegally, be a sport - self-deport!

Posted by Matt | 10.04.09, 12:13 GMT