After many years of frustration over the lack of political action on comprehensive immigration reform, Irish groups are cautiously optimistic that Congress is finally ready to move on a bill that could legalize the estimated tens of thousands of undocumented Irish in the United States, and provide greater options for access in the future.
During a speech in Las Vegas on Tuesday, President Obama gave his seal of approval to a broad reform package outlined by a bipartisan group of eight senators on Monday. He said that if Congress did not act in a timely fashion, “I will send up a bill with my proposals and insist that they vote on it right away.”
The President also mentioned the Irish in his remarks, which urged Americans to remember their immigrant history.
“If you’re Irish you left behind a land of famine,” Obama said, adding that early immigrants had to endure racism and other adverse conditions but were determined to persevere.
Read more on Irish immigration and reform here
On Monday eight senators, including Republican rising star Marco Rubio of Florida, put forward a plan to offer a path to citizenship to millions of undocumented that would be tied to verifiable border security measures. The plan also calls for tougher sanctions on employers who hire undocumented immigrants, and more efficient tracking of the exit status of those who enter the country.
Irish groups expressed satisfaction that the contentious immigration issue is once again on the political radar, and vowed to push for a long-term solution that would ensure future legal access for the Irish.
“We are pleased that the Senate has once again taken up the issue and that a path to legalization exists for all undocumented,” said Ciaran Staunton, president of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR).
“But we have to make sure that we have a future flow of visas for the Irish, who were badly disadvantaged by the 1965 Immigration Act. If we don’t do that, then we’ll have future generations of Irish here who will be undocumented, and that’s a fact.”
Staunton pointed out that during the last couple of years, ILIR has met with seven of the eight senators who put forward the new proposals on Monday, except for Rubio.
“We explained our position to them, and that’s something we will keep doing in the following weeks and months,” Staunton said.
Read More: Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signs historic drivers’ licenses bill into law
Siobhan Dennehy, executive director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center in Queens, said that the center has received calls from people wondering how the proposed legislation might affect their futures in the U.S.
“People are excited about what they are hearing, but we don’t have all the answers right now. We’re just distilling information like everyone else,” she said.
Dennehy expressed hope that politicians on both sides of the divide will come together.
“Senator [Charles] Schumer was at the United Irish Counties dinner on Friday night, and he was definitely more excited than we’ve seen that something good will happen,” she said. “So we have to keep hoping.”
The Senate proposal on Monday was short on specifics – i.e., a cutoff U.S. arrival date for undocumented to take advantage of the legalization path – but legislators and the White House agree that those eligible will have to pass a background check, pay taxes and be processed after those who are already waiting for legal status.
President Obama has made a reform package a centerpiece of his second term agenda, and a large segment of the Republican Party is keen to mend fences with the Hispanic community that overwhelmingly voted for Obama in both presidential elections, not to mention candidates in other political races.
Though the stars seem to be aligning to pass a comprehensive immigration bill, a final deal is far from done. The House of Representatives contains a vast number of conservative Republicans adamantly opposed to immigration reform, though reports emerged on Tuesday that a group of six bipartisan members are working on a bill of their own to introduce in the next two weeks.
“We’ve been here before with the Kennedy-McCain bill,” Staunton said, referring to the 2007 effort that failed to pass the Senate, even though it had bipartisan support and President George W. Bush backing it.
“We’re optimistic this time because President Obama is so strongly in support, but there’s a long way to go.”
Here's President Barack Obama's speech from Nevada, on Tuesday:
21 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Freeman | Feb 01, 2013, 10:03 AM EST
I think it would be fair to say that all of our successful countries in the world would never have been discovered if it weren't for the migration of people.If we were to erect barriers to keep certain classes of people out ,while providing for people or migrants of our choice inside, this indeed would result in a very boring and unsuccessful society.Anyone living in our modern world of today, that would like to claim their country as their own valued piece of property, and erect barriers to enforce that claim,are living in the ancient world of the past,waiting to be discovered.
Meanolgrouch | Jan 31, 2013, 08:39 PM EST
I guess that means you'll welcome my pure Irish blood should I decide to stay when I come to visit this summer? Can't have the island all to yourself, y'know. But maybe you should check with Falls and a few others first, though. Brit arse kissers though they are, some think they have the right to tell us to shut up and stay home. I think I'm going to cry...
WoundedKnee | Jan 31, 2013, 02:50 PM EST
No one who loves Irish ethnicity and nationality can welcome measures which will further denude Ireland of its people, just as they are being supplanted by settlers from Poland and elsewhere.
WoundedKnee | Jan 31, 2013, 02:48 PM EST
antoman: "I think I'm from Cork". Shouldn't you know by now? Ask your mom, assuming you know who she is.
Meanolgrouch | Jan 31, 2013, 10:36 AM EST
Well said, Ephraim. Well said.
EphraimKibbey | Jan 30, 2013, 09:33 PM EST
The America of the 1950's is as GONE as the America of the 1850's is. The GOP needs to look forward not backward. Let us hope that the America of the 2050's is a nation that finally lives up to the dreams of its founders by REALLY treating all people EQUALLY.
anglo-norman | Jan 30, 2013, 08:27 PM EST
The end of America as we know it...
cillowen | Jan 30, 2013, 06:50 PM EST
Working in America early for US's most precious brothers, yes Irish lave/convicts working for the crown - who knew? Did you know about Irish slavery? It seems that Irish slavery has escaped many texts, and therefore the entire education of many. Surprised to learn that there were Irish Slaves in the Caribbean? The reign of Elizabeth I, English privateers captured 300 African Negroes, sold them as slaves, and initiated the English slave trade. Few people know that the majority of Slaves in the Carribean, during the 17th Century, were actually Irish
Searlit | Jan 30, 2013, 06:49 PM EST
This isn't amnesty, for those who think that. Reagan gave amnesty once, and we've seen the results. Our border security has been quadrupled by the Obama administration and I read that there is a zero net flow into the US now, as far as illegal immigration goes. The undocumented will have to wait until the documented obtain citizenship and will pay fines and back taxes. People are describing the plan as fair, considering the alternative.
Meanolgrouch | Jan 30, 2013, 06:47 PM EST
Against early fierce opposition, Irish immigrants to America managed to become the most financially successful ethnic group in the country. They've always been an asset. Who else do you know that the crowds go gaga over once a year and die rivers green? To those xenophobes who resent Latins getting here however they might, I'd recommend an excellent documentary, 'A Day Without A Mexican'. We NEED them and should show more appreciation. As for African Americans, who has a better right to be here? Nobody. You haters get your noses facing forward for once.
cillowen | Jan 30, 2013, 06:45 PM EST
slave/convicts working for the crown - who knew? Did you know about Irish slavery? It seems that Irish slavery has escaped many texts, and therefore the entire education of many. Surprised to learn that there were Irish Slaves in the Caribbean? The reign of Elizabeth I, English privateers captured 300 African Negroes, sold them as slaves, and initiated the English slave trade. Few people know that the majority of Slaves in the Carribean, during the 17th Century, were actually Irish
Pittsburghkid | Jan 30, 2013, 06:09 PM EST
Do you think that immigration reform will help Western Europeans? Think again. Even after immigration reform an Afircan will have a better chance of getting into America. Ted Kennedy in the 60's started the preference for latin americans, and Africians.
Smyrnian | Jan 30, 2013, 04:56 PM EST
This opens the flood gates; here they come!
RexJ123 | Jan 30, 2013, 02:37 PM EST
“But we have to make sure that we have a future flow of visas for the Irish, who were badly disadvantaged by the 1965 Immigration Act. If we don’t do that, then we’ll have future generations of Irish here who will be undocumented, and that’s a fact.” TRANSLATION: We Irish will keep coming to America to live and work any damn time we feel like it, so you might as well make it legal for us to do so.
hooligan6a | Jan 30, 2013, 01:55 PM EST
Curious, What would happen to an American citizen That entered Ireland on a 90 day Visa and just stayed there, got a job and started a family. Would he ever be given amnesty?
hooligan6a | Jan 30, 2013, 01:54 PM EST
Curious, What would happen to an American citizen That entered Ireland on a 90 day Visa and just stayed there, got a job and started a family. Would he ever be given amnesty?
whiteycat | Jan 30, 2013, 12:53 PM EST
Why do the Irish think this will help them? They have been here as long or longer than latinos and havent gotten satisfasction yet.Where is the border security.?If you want to become a citizen you should worry about this as well.
pilib04 | Jan 30, 2013, 12:08 PM EST
You always hear about those waiting "legally." It would be interesting to get a profile on who "those" are.
antoman | Jan 30, 2013, 11:22 AM EST
The first person to pass through Ellis Island was a gurl from Cork. I think. I'm from Cork. So there should be like a special agreement for the people of Cork and Irish people in General. Shur we're Irish, you'll luv us as neighbours :)
joan1954 | Jan 30, 2013, 10:08 AM EST
I, too, hope for some sort of immigration reform but it is still will be a battle in the House. There will be a battle royal beginning with the anti-immigrant stancve of Texas' Lamar Smith of the 21st district. Irish interests would be well advise to negogiate with Lloyd Doggett of the newly created 35th District who is a Democrat as I would suspect he really doesn't have a clue on the Irish issue as it relates to Immigration reform coming as he does from Austin and the bulk of his district lies down Interstate 35 and includes San Antonio. This, I suspect, will be a new to him.
Patrick Henry | Jan 30, 2013, 10:03 AM EST
I don't believe it is good policy to ignoreLaws and allow Milliond of people to get in line ahead of those waiting patiently LEGALLY. Another Amnesty encourges more Illegal entry and compounds the problem.