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Undocumented Irish attract key support from Rep. Delahunt

MA Democrat pledges to lead Irish American immigration reform bid in House

By
ANTOINETTE KELLY
,
Irish Central.com
Published Sunday, November 8, 2009, 11:05 AM
Updated Sunday, November 8, 2009, 12:58 PM
Read more: Immigration, Domestic Policy, Immigration Policy, Political Policy, Politics, Social Issues, Social Policy

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Irish support: Congressman Bill Delahunt holds a 'Legalize the Irish' -shirt flanked by ILIR directors James P Gallagher and Hugh Meehan
Irish support: Congressman Bill Delahunt holds a 'Legalize the Irish' -shirt flanked by ILIR directors James P Gallagher and Hugh Meehan

The undocumented Irish have picked up a key new supporter in Congress.

Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-MA) has pledged to support the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and its efforts on behalf of the undocumented Irish in the U.S.

Congressman Delahunt is an influential member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee where much of the future of immigration reform legislation lies.

Delahunt met ILIR President Ciaran Staunton and Massachusetts directors Hugh Meehan and Jimmy Gallagher of Boston at his offices in Washington to discuss immigration reform and the situation facing the undocumented Irish community, particularly in his congressional district.

Staunton said Delahunt could not have been more supportive of comprehensive immigration reform and a system guaranteeing future migration for the Irish.

"We were deeply honored when he told us we could regard him, ‘as our leader in the House on immigration reform'’."

Staunton added, "In the past we were able to celebrate the Donnelly and Morrison visas. Hopefully, we will soon be able to rejoice in the Delahunt visas.”

Congressman Delahunt praised ILIR’s leadership in giving voice to the Irish dimension of the immigration reform campaign.

“ILIR has done a great job letting Congress know Irish America supports fair and comprehensive immigration reform. I look forward to highlighting these issues when they come before my Committee and on the floor of Congress," he said.

“The Irish have made a fantastic contribution to the development of our great country through hard work and sacrifice.

"I pledge to ILIR and the Irish American community my help in changing the tough situation facing many of today’s Irish Immigrants, both in my district and across the United States. I also look forward to ensuring that future Irish migrants have the ability to come to America, to have the opportunities my grandparents had when they came here.”

Jimmy Gallagher echoed these sentiments saying, "“Congressman Delahunt went out of his way to show concern and compassion for the undocumented Irish in his district.”

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Undocumented Irish attract key support from Rep. Delahunt | Irish News | IrishCentral


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Most recent comments - See all comments

Report abuse
Posted by dermot.r on Feb 11, 2010, 06:42 PM EST
People, people! Let's keep it civil!
Report abuse
Posted by Madeleine on Jan 25, 2010, 04:30 AM EST
Hollowayrd: The Mongolians came down the asiatic straits looking for food and land, they found America, there were caucasians there as proven by bones found that were older than the Indians,probably vikings. Indians are monglolians, thats all they are. Most countries belonged to some one else first or were conquered , but if you build up a country to Times square, Brooklyn bridge status and paid into the system for any length of time then it is your country. Most Americans , even a newer immigrant feels that America is their home, otherwise why work and pay taxes? You can't justify making America a dumping ground for every Immigrant the UN decides needs an education and medical help and to them we have too much anyway, you can't do that with the excuse that we are all immigrants anyway and it isn't our country, then we shoudln't have to pay taxes should we. We would love to have more Irish come to America,but if that were OK for them it would have to be OK for everyone else. Bush made deals with Mexico and now we are stuck with them. They do not want people with loyalty to America coming in and becoming citizens, they want people who are just here to make money and send it home to Mexico , as for the Africans, who knows why they send them to us, the UN are racists and feel we should all integrate. We are no longer a majority in America, if you put the Hispanics and the blacks and Africans together they out number us, they don't want any more whites in America, unfortunately.
Report abuse
Posted by garyrose on Jan 24, 2010, 06:42 PM EST
I FEEL SORRY THE IRISH DOES NOT HAVE POLITICAL PULL? MEXICO AND HAITI HAS WHY MEXICO HAS SHOVED INTO U.S.A. 12 to 20 MILLION ILLEGALS INTO AMERICA?? AND OUR ACTING I SAY ACTING PRESIDENT IS THINKING ABOUT FORCEING THEM ONTO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND AMERICA??WHY I WOULD RATHER HAVE 100000 IRISHMEN THEN ANY OF MEXICOS UNGRATEFUL MASSES ANYTIME. JUST AN AMERICAN TAXPAYER>>>THANK YOU IRISH>>>>
Report abuse
Posted by Meggie01 on Jan 18, 2010, 02:21 PM EST
Hollowayroad, I can't go to stay in Europe. I don't have a visa. I also cannot return to Asia, where I once lived. So if I want to return to those places, I can try for a visa, but if I do not get one, I will not disrespect those countries by illegally entering.
Report abuse
Posted by ThomasCoolberth on Jan 15, 2010, 10:00 PM EST
Hollowayroad, likewise you are an illegal immigrant homo-sapien who stole Europe from the Neanderthals! Now go back to Africa where your species originated!
Report abuse
Posted by hollowayroad on Jan 12, 2010, 05:39 PM EST
Meggie01,its not your country-it was stolen from the Indians.You are an illegal immigrant yourself-but don`t come back to Europe.


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