White House meets Irish lobby to discuss new visa bill for Ireland

Irish lobby calls on community to reach out to Republican senators for support

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KATE HICKEY,

IrishCentral Editor

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The Irish Lobby met at the White House with representatives from the president’s Domestic Policy Council, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security

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The man, who is yet to be deported, owns a business, has employees and a wife and children who are settled in the U.S.

“The policy is not in for those on a visa waiver,” Morrison said. “They should be entitled to some standard of review.”

As the Irish E3 visa bill once again becomes a topic of discussion in Washington, ILIR is calling on the Irish community to ask Republican senators for support.

Morrison said support on the ground from the Irish community at this time is crucial as “communication about the legislation between senators” will reignite after the break.

Now, Morrison said, “The lobbying goal is to get Republican senators in particular, to sign up to the E3, preferably the Schumer bill, but the key point is we need Republican support for the E3 concept.”

The Irish American community has already started to do its part. According to Morrison, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says he’s been “hearing a lot” from the community.
“So they are having impact, although he’s not made a decision yet.”

Around the country, groups of Irish are rallying in support of the Irish E-3 bill. In Cleveland last week 400 people attended a meeting at the West Side Irish American Club, Cleveland’s oldest Irish club, to hear Staunton explain that neither they nor their ancestors could have emigrated from Ireland to the U.S. under current U.S. immigration law.

A crucial meeting also took place between Senator Portman’s Ohio staff and leaders of the Irish American Ohio community.

Cleveland Irish leader, attorney John Myers said, “The Irish American community is mobilized in its support and understands the importance of Senator (Rob) Portman’s support in getting to the magic 60 in the Senate.”

Currently the bill has the support of 53 senators but still lacks support from Republicans.

As the discussion in Washington continues, those working on behalf of the Irish are asking that all members of the community contact their senators, especially their Republican senators, and ask that they support the Irish E3 visa bill.

Morrison added, “The community needs to make contact with their senators and get them moving.”

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