Thousands of Irish undocumented living in New York face another lonely Christmas without family.
As they prepare to make the most of Christmas in New York, several undocumented living in Yonkers and Woodlawn in the Bronx spoke to the Irish Voice about the sadness associated with being away from family this time of the year.
Because all those interviewed are undocumented, names have been changed for the purpose of this article.
Louise, 38, and her 40-year-old husband Shane are about to spend their eighth Christmas away from their family back in Co. Donegal.
“Another Christmas away is just terrible,” Louise, a bartender, shared with the Irish Voice over the weekend.
“It’s getting harder all the time. Our parents are getting old and we’re missing so many special events like another Christmas, not to mention several weddings and christenings.”
Her husband Shane agrees, but says being realistic they can’t move home at the moment because “there is no work” in Ireland.
“The Irish government is doing a good job of keeping the young people out of Ireland,” said Shane, a construction worker.
Veronica, 30, and her husband of three years Martin, 31, are both from Co. Kerry. They have two American-born children. They are also about to spend their eighth Christmas in New York.
“We haven’t been home in eight years and it’s very hard being away from family all the time but especially at Christmas, and of course it’s very hard for them not having us at home either,” shared Veronica, who cares for the elderly.
“Christmas is all about family, everyone meeting and spending time together.”
Martin, who owns his own construction firm, said, “We’ll never get back the years we have missed with family, but hope to be home some day. Our kids have never seen Ireland so we can’t wait for the day to bring them back to meet grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.”
A visitor from Ireland this Christmas will ease the pain a little, though, for this Kerry family.
“This year my mom comes for Christmas. It’s our first Christmas together in eight years so we are very excited Nana is coming to New York,” said Veronica.
Tara, 37, is from Co. Sligo. She has been living in New York for 12 years and hasn’t set foot on Irish soil in seven.
Like those previously interviewed, Tara associates Christmas with spending quality time with family.
“Christmas away from home has become an event to dread here in New York, a non-event and one that I sadly hope will be over and done with as soon as possible,” said Tara, an office worker.
This, however, is Tara’s final Christmas without family.
“I'm planning to move back to Ireland in the next year unless a miracle of a green card arrives from Santa Claus, and at this stage it’s not looking like it but I can always live in hope,” she said.
This year for Tara will be extra difficult. Her mother had major surgery only seven weeks ago and she is devastated that she can’t be there to help her recover.
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“My mother is still in hospital and not getting any younger, and therefore it’s really important to go home and spend time with her when we can all enjoy each other’s company,” said Tara sadly.
The recession in Ireland may be preventing many undocumented from moving back to Ireland, but
Tara said it isn’t all smooth sailing here either.
“Since the recession here too times have been harder. It’s harder to get a job and every day just seems more of a challenge,” she said.
Eibhlis, 39, and Martin, 35, have been living in the shadows in New York for more than a decade.
Eibhlis, from Cork, has been here for 15 years and her husband from Northern Ireland for 12. They have two children who have never met many of their family members back home.
“Being away from home for Christmas is very sad and lonely for us. We wish our kids could meet and spend time with our families back home,” said Eibhlis, a stay at home mom.
The most difficult part, said Eibhlis, is when the kids ask her why they can’t go back to Ireland.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s our decision to be here but sometimes it feels like we’re in prison,” added the mom.
Martin, a construction worker, said that although “no one is making us stay” it’s the best place for their children right now despite missing out on so many family events.
“We pray this Christmas that someday these politicians will do something for the millions of immigrants that love this country so much and give back to the economy every day,” said Martin.
“We are willing sometimes to sacrifice our own happiness to stay in the country that we have grown to love.”
Similar to Tara, Eibhlis recently got a sad call from home.
“It’s very hard hearing about someone in your family dying and you can’t be there,” said Eibhlis.
“The guilt just eats you up.”
Eibhlis and Martin will make the most of Christmas in New York. They will make a big deal of Santa for their children and do their best to disguise their sadness on December 25.
Peter, 26, is single and dreads the Christmas celebrations. “I’ve been living in New York for the past six years illegally,” Peter told the Irish Voice.
A bartender by trade, Peter will work through the holidays to get him through it.
“I’d prefer to be behind the bar than sitting at home alone thinking about all my sisters, brothers and parents chilling out at our family home,” said Peter, who hails from Co. Galway.
This year is extra difficult for Peter because his first niece was born last week.
“Being honest, I thought about chancing going home but it isn’t worth it in the long run if I get stopped coming back because there is no work at all in Ireland,” he said.
“There are so many lads I know out here who have nowhere to go this Christmas than the bar.
They have plenty of money but it doesn’t matter a bit without having people you care about around the place.”
Last year Peter’s friend at home took his own life at Christmas because he lost his job, and the Galway man fears the same sort of feelings exist here in New York.
“I’m always saying to some of my buddies to talk it out because Christmas is a very lonely time here as an immigrant,” he said.
“My advice to anyone is to meet up with friends this Christmas Day and don’t spend it alone, or come to visit me at the bar,” he says smiling.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.beodonne | Jan 11, 2012, 05:03 PM EST
You know I am tired listening about the 'lonely irish kids', blah blah blah. I came to the US from Ireland in '87 and there were thousands of illegal irish kids over here and you know there was no whining. Toughen up!! And Ciaradexy..yes it is the greatest country ever!!!
JudyStinger | Dec 27, 2011, 12:32 PM EST
My Grandparents came from Ireland and Scotland. I remember the story of how my Grandfather was in the United States (sponsored by his older brother) for several years before he could sponsor my Grandmother to come. My feelings are that if they did it legally, then why should we sympathize with those who chose the illegal route now. The economy is bad all over the world. There are many people that I know that need jobs that are taken by those who have entered the country illegally and hurt US economy by not paying payroll taxes. Though I sympatize with their plight, the reality of their status will catch up with them eventually. The current US administration (and those that follow) need to stop ignoring this issue and do something about enforcing immigration laws now and solve the problem of those illegals who are currently here.
power317 | Dec 21, 2011, 04:40 PM EST
There are so many legal Irish immigrants spending every Christmas in the US for many, many years. The cost of airfare and the lack of time off just makes it a reality for many of us...and we just make the best of it.
AlunPalmer | Dec 19, 2011, 08:18 PM EST
I came here legally, but the US immigration laws are badly broken, and not likely to be fixed anytime soon. I had to get a green card, although at the time I only intended to stay a couple of years (20 years ago!), and could easily have done that on a visa, because my wife also worked full-time at that time, and she could not get a work visa atall. Me getting a green card was the only way she could legally work, and if we had to give up her income, we weren't going to move here atall. The immigration laws are still to this day based on the 'little woman' staying in the kitchen. Why do feminists have nothing to say about that? The US immigration laws are based on two concepts: (1) family reunification, which guarantees an advantage to whatever ethnic groups came in recently; and (2) letting only highly qualified people get in by any other route, which guarantees that low paid jobs with a labour shortage will be filled by illegals, and yet people are still surprised that they come illegally, when the unskilled haven't a hope of getting in legally (except see (1) above), and employers actually need them.
whatISinAname | Dec 19, 2011, 01:09 PM EST
Don't mind George, he is just one of those blo hearts who thinks he has all the answers in life because he has feelings. See them all the time on the blogosphere, hiding behind their veiled curtain.
eiriamach | Dec 19, 2011, 10:01 AM EST
"Legal"/"illegal" is not a distinction that economic refugees or political refugees usually have in mind when they enter a country. It's a description that Americans apply to label some "undesirable." The 'insular' anti-immigration folks are in a dither because they do not usually consider Irish immigrants "undesirable," but they do consider Mexican border-crossers "undesirable." They'd rather the Mexicans get bussed across the border to do their low-paid agricultural work by day and then bussed back home each night. But illegal Irish can't just drop in for day work. They're "trapped," as the headline says. The US conservatives need to hang on to that "legal"/ "illegal" distinction, however, and in economic hard times, they revert to full-throttle "America for Americans." This attitude is the Scrooge story of American capitalism for all to see. Happy Holidays indeed!
bogsidebunny | Dec 19, 2011, 12:28 AM EST
They're not trapped. They can leave America anytime they want.
bonjouryall | Dec 18, 2011, 08:21 PM EST
As to the conservatives, I say the practices, policies and laws of the US have favored the immigration of darker skinned people for fifty years now, mostly (but not always) for their low cost and convenience of businesses and more well off Anglos. By practice, I include the practice of allowing illegal border crossing, which has been rampant until recent years. To the liberals that always took up for these illegals,I say there was never any expression extended to the idea of allowing similar improverished eastern Europeans that would have loved to enter the country after the wall fell. We should end our racially and ethnically discriminatory immigration practices and laws and encourage European immigration to make up for past sins. Personally, I'd like to see all work restrictions eased up between the Western countries. After WWII, I think the Europeans thought their business and culture would be swallowed up by the US, but this was just a temporary condition until they got back on their feet. As a very insular country, the US could certainly learn different points of view from Irish or other Europeans working here. And there are now bigger fish in the sea for all to contend with.
wyalusingjohn | Dec 18, 2011, 05:38 PM EST
Mr. george Dillon, I will excuse your rude behavior and point out that the argument is that all nations have a right to control their borders and most nations have a lawful and legitimate process for gaining citizenship. The US and Ireland are included. It is not fair for a publication dedicated to Irish affairs to garner sympathy for undocumented Irish persons in the US when Ireland has the same rules which they do enforce. Merry Christmas to you and your family
eiriamach | Dec 18, 2011, 05:35 PM EST
This was not the blog to drop in on for a bit of holiday-season hospitality, that's for sure. With GD on his usual rant and more anti-immigration folks shouting that there's no room for strangers at the Inn, I'd rather be camping out in some manger tonight anyway, with the sheep and cows for company.
MegK311 | Dec 18, 2011, 03:14 PM EST
I do not feel sorry for these people because they are breaking the law and they are taking jobs away from legal Americans. I came to the US legally and my son was born here. He has not worked for 3 years but illegal immigrants say they can't give up their jobs here because they would not find jobs in Ireland. It is not just Irish illegals that we have to deal with the mexicans come illegally in droves taking jobs that Americans would be glad to have. Illegal immigrants should be deported to their home countries where they can apply for legal entry into the United States.
ciaradexy | Dec 18, 2011, 03:14 PM EST
Belcarra, greatest country ever? Seriously? Youve never travelled obviously!
belcarra | Dec 18, 2011, 02:57 PM EST
i have yet to hear an irish illegal alien say thank you america for allowing me to work in the greatest country ever. you know where to find sympathy in the dictionary.
OleSarge | Dec 18, 2011, 02:53 PM EST
Illegals are criminals by definition. I don't feel sorry for criminals. They came because they wanted to. All they need do is turn themselves in and they get to go home to stay. Problem solved.
antoman | Dec 18, 2011, 02:18 PM EST
That's a winning personality you have georgedillon. Now turn yourself in and promise Nurse Ratchett you'll never attempt to escape again.
IAPRINCESS | Dec 18, 2011, 02:13 PM EST
My heart does not bleed for illegal alians. You can go back to Ireland and find jobs there and bolster up your own economy and leave the jobs here for people of this land. We open our doors to so many but no one has to stay here. Something must be good here like the $$$ perhaps?
GeorgeDillon | Dec 18, 2011, 02:00 PM EST
antoman aka sirpeter, actually nothing a racist imbecile like you could say would annoy me. For someone to annoy me I'd have to respect them first, and I sure don't respect bigoted ignoramuses like you!
antoman | Dec 18, 2011, 01:47 PM EST
If it annoys georgedillon and other racists and xenophobes on this site that there are Irish in America. Legal or illegal. Stay there lads. We'll deploy 10,000 more come the new year.
amkilshane | Dec 18, 2011, 01:39 PM EST
This is a big sob story. They got on a plane in their early 20's and didn't give a dam about visas etc when they could have gone legally to Canada or Auz not to mention going to London.
eileenkny | Dec 18, 2011, 01:31 PM EST
My father came here legally, and all 4 of my husband's did as well. If you feel trapped, you have the key to your cage-a ticket home. Please use it and don't take jobs from Americans who need them.
anneduffy11 | Dec 18, 2011, 01:15 PM EST
I feel badly for those who are trapped here, but am curious how they manage to get work when they are not legal. If they are all being paid off the books how about the poor people here who are legal and could fill the jobs that these people are holding. My parents and other family members came legally many years ago. Something is wrong with our system.
Kells46 | Dec 18, 2011, 12:59 PM EST
I get very tired listening to Irish people bellyache. They should not have come here illegally, they broke the law. I, with my husband and daughter waited for 5 years in Ireland for my Green Card before moving here. That is how it should be done. Sorry if you miss your families and ailing parents, but if you feel that badly, then just go back. I would have no hesitation doing so if I were in the situation, especially when it came to ailing parents. One other thing, Irish people are not very considerate when it comes to so called "undocumented" in their country. I have heard some very nasty things said in this regard. Merry Christmas and Peace to all mankind.
EileenOfarrell | Dec 18, 2011, 12:18 PM EST
My father AND my husband both immigrated to the US legally so I cannot say I am against immigration. With that said, illegal aliens are breaking United States law; regardless of their country of origin. If these folks miss their families so much then they should return to Ireland. Then if they decide to live in America, they can start the legal process in Ireland.
hooligan6a | Dec 18, 2011, 11:31 AM EST
Wow you people are spot on. If they are illegal, they should be deported. Along with every other illegal. Shane says there is no work in Ireland. Well we have an unemployment problem here, so he is taking a job that an American would do.
ciaradexy | Dec 18, 2011, 11:07 AM EST
If they are illegal then they should be deported just like the illegals here in Ireland should be deported.
wyalusingjohn | Dec 18, 2011, 10:57 AM EST
How about a story about the Nigerian mothers and Romanian women that Ireland is is so fond of shipping back to the 3rd world countries they are claiming sanctuary from.
Murph46 | Dec 18, 2011, 10:50 AM EST
butlereport you could not be more wrong.Irish don't have sanctuary cities,an entire political party supporting them for votes of their peers,don't have liberal idealists who have forgotten and denied our Constitution!Some illegals are getting better schooling than natural Americans.WAKE UP AMERICA
colkelley | Dec 18, 2011, 09:54 AM EST
They are not "trapped" - they can turn themselves in and be deported back to Ireland at no cost to them. They CHOSE to be "trapped" here by becoming ILLEGAL aliens, not "undocumented workers." No sympathy from me.
joan1954 | Dec 18, 2011, 09:46 AM EST
The same can be said for people living across country from family because of jobs. Christmas is not a vacation time for many and if you are lucky you get one day off even though because Christmas falls on a Sunday, Monday is a holiday.
butlerreport | Dec 18, 2011, 09:29 AM EST
'Trapped?' So leave. You have the same illegal status here as any other illegal - none. And you knew the consequences when you came.