A County Kerry man who has been living in the U.S. for more than 12 years has established a Facebook page to support the Irish undocumented living in the U.S. The page has close to 7,500 fans.
The page is called “Get the Irish Home for Christmas 2010.”
Steve McSweeney, 35, has been a firm supporter of the work of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) since its inception in 2006. He has been to every rally the group organized on Capitol Hill in a push to get comprehensive immigration reform passed. He has met with several senators and representatives and stated the importance of having the Irish in the U.S.
Even after the Kennedy/McCain bill failed to make it out of the Senate in 2008, McSweeney pushed on. Earlier this year he found a new way to reach out to the undocumented and their supporters.
McSweeney told the Irish Voice that cyberspace was the way to go to drum up support for the undocumented Irish.
“So many friends that lived here for a long time eventually moved home because of their limbo status, and so many others here who live throughout America are all on Facebook, so I knew it was a way to reach out to everyone,” he said.
McSweeney said the main idea behind the Facebook campaign was for other undocumented throughout the U.S. “to know that there are a lot of other people in the same situation and that they are not alone in this fight to get home to see their families.”
The online page, said McSweeney, is a “great way” to inform people of the latest update in the battle for immigration reform. It’s updated regularly with information from Capitol Hill on the workings of a new immigration reform bill.
“It’s also a very easy way for people to contact Congress via the page so that the Irish voice can be heard,” said McSweeney.
On Monday the number of fans had reached 7,483. About 5,000 of those are based in the U.S. and the remainder are Irish people living in other parts of the world.
“This number includes undocumented Irish, people who are legal and support the Irish, politicians from Ireland and even lawmakers here,” McSweeney said.
Although happy with the response so far, McSweeney urges people to continue inviting their Facebook friends to join his page.
“I encourage everyone to send invites to all their friends as the Irish are a powerful voice when it comes to numbers,” he said.
The website has already gained attention from Ireland. TV3, one of the Ireland’s television stations, has been doing many interviews with Irish undocumented since discovering the page. The page has even caught the attention of CNN.
“This week we have been asked to do an interview with CNN and Al Jazeera TV Europe so the Facebook page is serving its purpose,” said McSweeney.
Albeit mainly positive, McSweeney said the page does get a few negative comments. That, he said, comes with the territory.
“You will always get someone who does not agree with immigration reform and my answer to that is if they had a family member in the same situation how would they feel?”
To join the Facebook page log in and search “Get the Irish Home for Christmas 2010.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.liliying | Jun 11, 2010, 09:07 PM EDT
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irishwxman | Apr 26, 2010, 05:28 PM EDT
I think what people fail to grasp here is the politics in this whole matter. Of course the undocumented Irish would like some assistance, that goes without saying...what this will turn out to be is a power grab by the democrats. The illegals will vote for which ever party helps them. It's like the days of Tammany hall. They flocked to help the Irish off the boats during the famine...for votes. Its a power grab in the end. The democraps will give warm food and blankets to Paddy just so long Paddy keeps him in the senate. Be weary lads...liberals are a sneaky bunch.
RealIrish2010 | Apr 26, 2010, 02:47 PM EDT
"Irish and Proud" is a coward who sits behind a keyboard, Now MacSweeney on the other hand is standing up(in the public eye) for the rights of Irish people seeking a better life in the US, like everyone of the Irish-Americans ancestors that did generations before. Take a look at other Immigration stories on Irish Central, you'll see a trend with these type members. These members are here to belittle every ounce of hope we have for reform, and in my option, these type members are just set up by anti-immigration groups. I have many Irish-American friends, who are truly "Irish and Proud" of their heritage and support the Irish in their fight for immigration reform and have seen these comments are are ashamed to call these members "Fellow Irish-Americans". As I said in past comment's, Their Irish Ancestors would be turning in their graves if they knew that their Irish blood descendants were so against the Irish seeking a better life in the US.
beachline | Apr 26, 2010, 10:33 AM EDT
I read this article three times and nowhere does it indicate that Mr. McSweeny is an undocumented immigrant. Irish and Proud--where did you get your information about Mr. McSweeny's immigration status? Irishwxman--I agree, REFORM is the way to go, not the sniping and backbiting seen here on this comment board. Thanks to Mr. McSweeny for his efforts.
irishwxman | Apr 26, 2010, 02:21 AM EDT
So we help the undocumented Irish with immigration reform, and in the process, help the millions and millions of undocumented Mexicans along the way. So what? we make a law that only applies to the illegal Irish? Yeah, that will sit well with the hispanics. So to satisfy the handful of undocumented Irish, we will further cripple the U.S. economy with the 30 million uillegal Mexicans. How selfish can you be? My heart goes out to these lads, but they should have thought about this when they made the decision to break the law.
reform2010 | Apr 24, 2010, 01:02 AM EDT
IrishAndProud Please come forward and reveal yourself it seems Mr McSweeney is a bigger man than you are stop hiding and show your face....
| Apr 23, 2010, 09:06 PM EDT
@kcslatts - You're right, the issue is about reform. No one denies that undocumented immigrants have broken the law, but the great thing about America is that when laws don't work, people work to change them, and that is what we are trying to do here. There is no path for legal immigration to the United States anymore. Had the current quotas been in place when the Irish were first trying to come here, all the Irish Americans commenting here would still be in Ireland. We advocate for a practical and humane immigration system, that is responsive to the needs of the American workforce and also allows people who have contributed to the economy and the social fabric of America to legalize their status. America has always been a country of immigrants and the Irish are a particular example of an immigrant success story. So let's look at the whole system and figure out some way to encourage legal immigration by providing visas for jobs that the undocumented take.
kcslatts | Apr 23, 2010, 08:32 PM EDT
Since I'm new to the site I may rehash some old info but have to ask the question. Are the people who are "Anti-Immigration" as "RealIrish2010" calls them, against all immigration or just "ILLEGAL" immigration? My family immigrated from Ireland four generations ago, worked hard, assimilated and became legal American citizens. I know this is a very touchy and sometimes confusing issue and perhaps the real issue here is immigration reform, not so much legal vs. illegal. Either way, great to have this discussion and love the website! Thanks
RealIrish2010 | Apr 23, 2010, 07:51 PM EDT
"Irish&Proud" - You my friend are a joke at best, and I bet your Irish ancestors would be turning in their graves if they knew that you were a descendant of their Irish Blood with your attitude towards Irish looking for a better life. So please go ahead and do us all a favor and take the word Irish out of your name or go somewhere else to let of steam and let us have some hope for a better life in these articles of hope from Irish Central. Laddie,lol now that was funny... Nearly as funny as your name, "Irish and Proud" Maybe Richie has a point, are you paid to write against us? Well done to Stevie, Reform2010 and all the others who comment on these wild ideas from Anti-Immigration members... We wait for your comments...
kcslatts | Apr 23, 2010, 07:38 PM EDT
Have just joined Irish Central, was excited to find the site. Does anyone know what the immigration laws in Ireland are? As an American citizen could I move over to Ireland and live and work for an unlimited amount of time?
reform2010 | Apr 23, 2010, 07:26 PM EDT
Irish&Proud must not be so proud or irish for that matter to say firstly he is stating facts about people who may very well be LEGAL here and Secondly Turning his Back on his own People>>>>>
richiem2282 | Apr 23, 2010, 12:30 PM EDT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csPl6-fYK6g&feature=player_embedded Here's an interesting video I came across today...
richiem2282 | Apr 23, 2010, 09:57 AM EDT
Sungold, I pay taxes here, and If I need to go to the hospital, I have my own insurance. So... Can you please research and then, make your point. Some illegals pay taxes and don't use YOU, THE TAXPAYER'S money if they need medical attention. Good to see you back in the debate again "Irish & Proud". How much was this week's check???
Sungold | Apr 23, 2010, 05:05 AM EDT
America is drowning in illegal aliens because our cowardly politicians will not enforce the borders. While Irish illegals are not as numerous as the Mexicans, they are still part of the problem. n Jimmy12003 says that they probably pay more taxes than any of us because they live in New York City? I'm willing to bet that they don't pay any taxes, because they must take "under the table" jobs in restaurants, construction, house painters, etc. With these kinds of jobs, there is no health insurance...so when an illegal must go to the hospital, WE, the TAXPAYERS, must pay. I find it ironic that so many Irish people who support the illegal immigrants in America, are fretting about the influx of illegal immigrants into Ireland.
IrishAndProud | Apr 23, 2010, 12:37 AM EDT
And seriously, Jimmy...you're not very creative. You're just the latest drip in the line-up of usual suspects who claim that a person can only be 'really' Irish (or 'really' this or 'really' that), if they're pro-illegal alien. I say they're not really Irish if they ARE.
IrishAndProud | Apr 23, 2010, 12:24 AM EDT
oh and btw plasticpaddy...an illegal alien is NOT an 'immigrant'...and you are one...stupid...fellow...Irishman if you don't know the difference. Try again, laddie.
IrishAndProud | Apr 23, 2010, 12:17 AM EDT
Wrong (as usual) plasticpaddy...and richie, and jimmy. I'm not only Irish and Proud of it, but Mr. McSweeney (who I don't doubt is a hard worker) is still an ILLEGAL ALIEN, who needs to go BACK to his own country (and perhaps you should join him, plasticpaddy...since you're not an American, yourself). And btw it's IRRELEVANT how 'hard' McSweeney works, 'jimmy'; he's still NOT legal...and I would tell you so to both YOUR faces. You are patently incapable of intimidating others, and McSweeney should not even be here. I'm an American, and he's NOT (and neither, I suspect, are you, Jimmy). And if all three of you folks cannot stand my defense of my own birthright, in my own nation, which my LEGAL Irish ancestors helped build...in the face of VIOLATORS like McSweeney, or Manuel, or whomever ELSE, then you'd best find some other country (and website) -- because neither I nor the vast majority of REAL Americans who feel as I do (and that's untold millions) are going ANYWHERE. My legitimate Irish ancestors came here on a creaky boat (which took WEEKS) and actually did it legally and actually wanted to be Americans. Not so with McSweeney. He flatly CHEATED, and wants citizenship, for it...from a country whose laws he clearly doesn't even respect. How hard someone works does NOT affect their legal status, Jimmy. How much they follow the RULES determines that. And richie...leave it to a person lost in their own little leftist bubble world (like you) to act all surprised when you hear learn of the existence of the American majority's viewpoint.
plasticpaddy | Apr 22, 2010, 11:48 PM EDT
Seriously lads, great to see more pro-immigration reform, and pro immigrant people on here! Fair play to each and every one of you!
richiem2282 | Apr 22, 2010, 09:13 PM EDT
Is anyone starting to see a trend with these "Irish and Proud" type members? I've seen alot of their comments lately and am stating to think that they are being paid by anti immigration groups to jump on every pro-immigration issue on Irish Central... Fair Play Jimmy, Nice one Stevie!!!
jimmy12003 | Apr 22, 2010, 06:38 PM EDT
irish and proud! proud of what exactly? coming out with cr-ap like that, theres not one irish person would believe you to be irish! you go on and on about people like this using your tax dollars and stealing your jobs! BULLS-HIT! i know mcsweeney, i can assure you he works longer and harder than you will ever work! and at somthing you probably wouldnt be capable of doing like the rest of the crying cu-nts that hit out at people like him for taking the jobs! and he would have paid more taxes, just in living in new york all this time than you ever will! whats the bets you voted for bush in your day?
IrishAndProud | Apr 22, 2010, 05:33 PM EDT
And it's also a sad, sad commentary on the utter LACK of law enforcement on the USA's part, when an illegal alien like McSweeney can be here for years and years and years, have his name and photograph splashed up there for all the world to see, even have his own FACEBOOK site proclaiming it all from the rooftops, and...nothing happens. Only the sound of crickets. No I.C.E. agents, anywhere.
antrimliam | Apr 21, 2010, 01:16 PM EDT
Im afraid Mr McSweeny misses the point of his detractors.Wether you are Irish Latino or any other kind of undocumented you are in this country illegally .enough said