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McAleese Makes Plea for Undocumented

By
CAHIR O'DOHERTY,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 1:23 AM
Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009, 5:58 PM

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Irish President Mary McAleese made a heartfelt plea on behalf of the Irish undocumented living in the U.S. during a visit to San Francisco last week.

Speaking to an audience at San Francisco's Irish Immigration and Pastoral Center on December 12, McAleese said that she was "deeply conscious" how many within the Irish community are caught within this situation.

"So many of the undocumented Irish have lived in the U.S. for many years and, like generations of previous Irish emigrants, they work hard, raise families and make an important contribution to the economic and social life of their communities," she said.

"And yet, they live in the shadows of society with fear and uncertainty as their constant companions. Most, we know, also suffer greatly from the pain of not being able to travel to and from Ireland because of the difficulties of re-entry."

McAleese added that many undocumented Irish immigrants had come to the U.S. before the September 11 attacks had prompted tighter border restrictions, complicating their movements and restricting their access to a legal redress.

"Meanwhile, they got jobs, met partners, got married, raised families and put down roots in an adopted homeland that they had grown to love dearly," she said.

"Some very committed people have championed their cause, and the Irish government has used every possible opportunity to advocate on their behalf and will continue to do so. Efforts are also ongoing to reform our own wider migration arrangements with the U.S. in a way that complements the modern nature of our relationship."

Earlier, in a ceremony intended to highlight its Irish heritage on December 12, the University of San Francisco awarded McAleese with an honorary doctorate.

University President Stephen A. Privett said, "She is a leader who exemplifies a dedication to reasoned discourse and working for the common good - two skills we strive to instill in our students."

Some 700 people filled the McLaren Conference Center at the campus to hear McAleese deliver a public address on "Ireland: Challenges and Opportunities in a Global Community."

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