The Board and Staff of the Irish Pastoral Centre, Dorchester, Massachusetts, welcome the passage of the Comprehensive Immigration Bill in the US Senate this past week. The bill will provide an avenue to legal status for the estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish in the United States at this time, and allow for a future flow of Irish immigrants to the US.

We would like to sincerely thank all of the senators who voted in favor of the bill and all those involved behind the scenes in ensuring the fair distribution of visas for Irish nationals. We also thank all of the volunteers who attended the ‘Calling Campaign’ to Senate offices this past week at the IPC, and for making hundreds of calls to legislators pleading with them to support reform.

Call for end to deportations

The IPC Chaplain, Fr. John McCarthy following the Senate vote has called on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to postpone further removal actions on undocumented Irish immigrants. Fr. McCarthy visits Irish detainees incarcerated in US prisons each week. He cites the overwhelming support for reform across the US and the senate action as evidence that Americans about to celebrate Independence Day are now ready to grant freedom to millions of aspiring Americans from around the world.

The IPC recognizes that similar advocacy work waits in the House of Representatives and invites anyone interested in joining our advocacy team to contact us immediately by calling Fr. John McCarthy or Kieran C. O’Sullivan. 617-265-5300. - See more at: http://irishemigrant.com/ie/go.asp?p=story&storyID=16106#sthash.2Ya514lw.dpuf