RSS
News


comment on article 19 Comments
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail

Obama immigration plan may make 'illegal aliens' legal

Administration wants legalization program before November midterm elections

By
KELLY FINCHAM
,
Irish Central.com Editor

Published Friday, November 13, 2009, 3:16 PM
Updated Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10:07 AM

Vote now - Buzz this up!


Obama immigration plan may make 'illegal aliens' legal | Irish News | IrishCentral




Read more: Barack Obama, Janet Napolitano, The White House, Domestic Policy, Immigration Policy, Political Policy, Politics, Social Issues, Social Policy, Immigration
Immigration: Irish optimistic as Obama administration prepares push on legalization program
Immigration: Irish optimistic as Obama administration prepares push on legalization program

The undocumented Irish community in the U.S. received a major boost today with the announcement from the White House that it will push forward with a legalization program.

Homeland Security boss Janet Napolitano said the Obama administration is seeking a "tough but fair pathway to earned legal status."

Bart Murphy, the chairman of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, said he was encouraged by the move.

"I am encouraged to finally see some positive action from the (Obama) Administration and a commitment to deal with immigration reform sooner rather than later," he said.

"President Obama will need to do some really heavy lifting on this issue in Congress, the Senate and in the labor movement. There is a bi-partisan interest in immigration reform and it needs to be nurtured."

Napolitano's comments are the strongest possible signal from the White House that the administration wants to act on immigration before the mid-term elections in November.

Advocates on both sides of the debate had feared that Obama might postpone any action until after November.

However, Napolitano today made it very clear that the administration wants to move on this issue now.

Napolitano said the legalization was essential for the nation's security.

“Let me emphasize this,” she said. “We will never have fully effective law enforcement or national security as long as so many millions remain in the shadows.”

The White House plan would require illegal immigrants to register, pay fines and any outstanding taxes, pass a criminal background check and learn English.

Vote now - Buzz this story up!


Obama immigration plan may make 'illegal aliens' legal | Irish News | IrishCentral


print this article Print
email this articleE-mail


Most recent of 19 Comments - See all comments

Report abuse
Posted by plasticpaddy on November 17,2009 | 12:50PM
TrophyWife, might I ask when you did so? I have done so within the past two years, and would posit that it is next to near impossible
Report abuse
Posted by TrophyWife on November 16,2009 | 10:46PM
As others have stated, coming here legaly is not impossible. I did so myself, and I'm sick and tired of the whining in regards to this issue. No matter if you're from Ireland(self included) or any other country...do it the right way. Anything worth having is worth the work involved or the struggle.
Report abuse
Posted by plasticpaddy on November 16,2009 | 12:41PM
Actually FastEddy it is very difficult to come here legally. Very, very difficult, to suggest otherwise is not true. It is not too much to ask for people to come here legally, but at least provide that opportunity, it simply doesn't exist anymore for the vast vast majority of immigrants whether educated and skilled or not.
Report abuse
Posted by plasticpaddy on November 16,2009 | 12:40PM
Honestly allentown I think you're right. Despite my wanting something to happen I think it would be politiclaly naive at a time when Republicans have witnessed gains in certain key areas in recent elections.
Report abuse
Posted by allentown on November 16,2009 | 11:18AM
That is not what I heard. I heard that the Obama Administration will not address illegal immigration in 2010, because the Democrats are afraid of the voters in the November elections.
Report abuse
Posted by plasticpaddy on November 16,2009 | 09:13AM
FatherVol, because the laws have changed significantly. I think you would find it 99% likely that they would not be able to come here today under the same circumstances.


IrishCentral on Twitter




remember me on this computer
forget your password?     
IrishCentral.com is also home to Irish Voice and Irish America magazine