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CONGRESSMAN Peter King has now become the de facto leader of the anti-immigration reform forces in the House of Representatives.
King led a press conference on Tuesday surrounded by a bunch of other know nothing politicians intent on stopping the Senate immigration reform bill in its tracks.
King stated that he wanted current laws enforced and no provisions for dealing with the undocumented whatsoever. He and his colleagues have introduced a bill to that effect.
Trading on his position as the ranking member of the Homeland Security committee, King has now taken the lead over less well known advocates such as Congressman Brian Bilbray of California.
King has become an embarrassment to many Irish Americans with this latest stunt, with his finger pointing at people who have committed no greater crime than to seek a better life for themselves in America - just like King's people did in their time.
King has now become irrevocably tied to the anti-immigrant cause, a sad reflection on a man who spent much of his congressional career fighting a lonely fight for human rights for Catholics in Northern Ireland.
When it comes to Hispanics and other undocumented, however, including thousands of Irish, King wants to see them all deported.
The Gypo Nolan transformation of King to immigrant basher has left many of his former friends deeply shaken. How could one man who did such good for a downtrodden people fail to see any connection between them and the people he now excoriates? It will always remain a mystery.
Ahern Stays in Place
THERE was good news for Irish immigrant organizations with the announcement that Dermot Ahern has been reappointed minister for foreign affairs in the new Irish government by Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern.
Dermot Ahern has shown a great interest in the undocumented Irish and has worked long and hard to help their case in America.
A change at the top would have been difficult at a time when New York Consul General Tim O'Connor and now Ambassador Noel Fahey will depart within months of each other.
