Obama hopes for immigration reform in 2010

President's agenda too full to focus on immigration now

Sean, who has been living in the U.S without papers for six years, had all his eggs in one basket two years ago when the immigration issue was hot.

“I was so sure a few years ago that Kennedy and McCain would get a bill passed and some kind of law would have come from it that I even booked a ticket home for the following Christmas. I wasn’t long canceling it,” laughs Sean.

“I am more positive this time though. I think Obama is the man to get the job done. If I had a vote I would have definitely given it to him.”

Steve, a Kerryman living in the shadows of New York for the past 11 years, also remains optimistic despite having experienced first hand the emotion of Congress rejecting a proposed bill in the past.

Steve is under the impression that Obama is stalling until 2010 on the immigration issue because he wants to have everything in place before the battle begins.

“I think he (Obama) wants to have all borders secure in order to move forward without any deadlock on the border situation,” he said.

“I feel that he is in the process of bringing both sides together so that he will then call upon the right people to bring it out in the open then next year when the time is right.”

Steve, an active member of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) said it’s time to rally up the troops again and get the ball rolling on campaigning.

“It’s time for all the immigrant communities to stand together and let their voices be heard,” he said.

Another Kerryman, Don, 34, who has also been living in New York equally as long as Steve, said that although he feels “frustrated” by the news on Monday, he believes that Obama is still being true to his campaign promise, to address immigration reform during his first term as president.

“He (Obama) seems to be keeping to his word overall. He is addressing the issues that he promised during the campaign, just at a slower pace than expected. I think we as illegals should be happy it is even being discussed,” he said.

Paula, 26, a Leitrim immigrant who moved to Boston a little over a year ago to find work, is happy to hear that Obama wants to address the issue next year.

“It will be great if he can get us green cards. I haven’t been home to see my family or friends in a year and I’d really like to visit but there is nothing at home in terms of jobs so I’m not going to take the chance until the president gets us papers,” said Paula.

“I think Obama will do the right thing. He is a decent guy and I’m sure he will convince those who need convincing that something needs to be done for those of us who have no papers.”

​
Nster.com