Bridie Murphy, at the center of a tragic immigration snafu in
Boston, is anxious to stand back from the firestorm that has erupted around her but she is deeply worried how people are perceiving her case.
The 80-year-old was stopped when entering the U.S. at Logan Airport andhad her green card confiscated. She was interrogated for over three hours.
She had lived back in
Ireland for ten months with her son. Two other sons are in the U.S. army , one in the
Middle East.
The elderly grandmother, who wears a pace maker and takes pills for high blood pressure, is said to be in a state of considerable anxiety about her unexpected change of fortune.
It has not helped that Murphy, who has lived exclusively in the
United States with her American husband since 1979, has received a torrent of abuse from anti-immigrant forces on the internet, who have challenged her right to remain in the U.S. without hearing the details of her case.
"A lot of attention has been drawn to this case and Bridie is worried that an immigration backlash against her,"
Chris Lavery, an attorney who gives pro bono advice at The Irish Pastoral Center in Boston, told Irish Central.
"Bridie's a private person and she's also a bit overwhelmed. The fact that this became a big story so fast worries her. I have read on the blogs that people are asking why she didn't apply for citizenship. What they don't know is that U.S. citizenship is not that easy to obtain. You have to go through a complicated process to get it. You have to take tests. It's not that she didn't want citizenship, she has been here for many years, her husband and sons are U.S. citizens, and she didn't feel that needed it to prove she was herself. Now that this has happened she's become aware that she should have applied for it years ago. But she never made a choice not to do it."
Murphy has always paid her taxes, Lavery says, she’s a functioning member of the community (Murphy worked for the local Catholic school until just last year, 2009). She has held a green card since 1979 but she had been coming to the U.S. since the 1950's. Never did she imagine that the conditions of legal immigration here had changed so dramatically, nor did she reckon with the hardening of attitudes in recent years.
It turns out that any green card holder who has been out of the country for more than six months can be challenged about their intentions.
"Bridie made sure she got her green card, she followed through on that process in 1979," said Lavery. "At the age of 80 she wasn't aware that if she visited family in Ireland for six months she could be questioned about her residency and intentions when she returned to the U.S. Immigration officials didn't take the time to find out that’s her home and family, even her bank accounts were in the U.S. It's unbelievable."
Reflecting on the torrent of abuse she has received - some from fellow Irish Americans - Lavery said: "It sometimes amazes me how short some people's memories are. Our community is wonderful in coming together to support the Irish when they think it’s important. But a generation down the line and we tend to forget."
The two things that the public should learn from Murphy's plight is that it is difficult to obtain legal status in the United States, and that it has become even more difficult for people without status to come to the U.S. to work. It's just not obtainable anymore, Lavery says.
Lavery is hopeful that Murphy's predicament will be successfully resolved. "I feel when we bring this case to court and demonstrate how long Bridie has been here that they will let this case go away."
Bridie Murphy, at the center of a tragic immigration snafu in Boston, is anxious to stand back from the firestorm that has erupted around her but she is deeply worried how people are perceiving her case.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Shauna1234 | Sep 28, 2010, 06:17 AM EDT
My heart goes out to this poor Lady as my Family have been mistreated by the U.S Immigration and I know how scary it is.U.S Immigration would not let my Husband into the country for a family holiday and to visit a dieing friend over a very minor detail they left me and our 4 small kids standing in JFK airport for 5 hours before telling me that they were sending him home on the next flight. The district Attorys office called these guys up and explained the misunderstanding the told them that they would allow him into the country but sent him home anyway leaving me in a huge city with 4 children age's 8,6,4,2 to take 6 large suitcase's with out a ounce of thought for the screaming kids that could not understand where there Father was.. This is how the U.S Immagration treated my family so please everyone should help this poor lady fight to get her green card back..
ireland17 | Sep 27, 2010, 08:36 AM EDT
I think these U.S. Immigration officials should be sent down to the Arizona border for a few years, where they will have a real job to do. I think it is absolutely disgraceful that they abused her like this without checking out her background first. Thanks to, Attorney Chris Lavery for stepping in and taking her side. We need more good people like you around to help out in situations like this. Well Done!!!
krissangel | Sep 27, 2010, 08:25 AM EDT
An example of applying the law in a blanket manner without any THOUGHT. The law is to prevent people from coming to the US with negative motives. An 8- yr grandmother who's lived here in for 40 yrs is not a threat! I'm constantly amazed at the stupidity of the American public! I hope it all works out fine for Bridie Murphy and that she is granted fast-track citizenship!
ginger1 | Sep 26, 2010, 01:57 PM EDT
Something really needs to be done to get these guys under control. We had a similar situation this summer when friends arrived at JFK and were separated, mistreated, manhandled and then returned the husband because of a minor snafu. We thought we had the situation straightened out and he returned to complete the 2 week vacation with his wife and four small children only to be turned around and sent home again. I cringe to think of all the bad guys who probably waltzed into our country while they were harassing a young man on vacation. I surely do hope they can find a better way to spend all those homeland security dollars they got.
Celtica43 | Sep 25, 2010, 11:11 PM EDT
Addendum: Also, if her husband is American born, why isn't she just granted USA citizenship by that relationship.
Celtica43 | Sep 25, 2010, 11:08 PM EDT
Wonder what would have happened if she spoke Spanish?
sonshine1949 | Sep 24, 2010, 10:50 PM EDT
I'm an American-born citizen and I think the person(s) who didn't do their job correctly should be disciplined with suspension WITHOUT pay to prove the point. At the very least they should be made to stand in the airport wearing pointy dunce hats, and shirts that say "I'm the idiot who detained Bridie Murphy!" Mrs. Murphy deserves much better treatment than she has received and I pray the Lord will correct this situation for her soon. Homeland Security people who would detain a harmless, 80-year-old woman with sons fighting for OUR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY are simply cowards who are too afraid to detain REAL terrorists. I hope they don't sleep a single wink until Mrs. Murphy gets her green card back WITH A WRITTEN APOLOGY FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA.
BLRNYCHK | Sep 24, 2010, 08:48 PM EDT
God Bless Mrs. Murphy & may He kick some sense into those who are giving her such a hard time! She has OBVIOUSLY demonstrated her LOVE for the USA by raising self -sacrificing MILITARY sons ,paying her taxes working at a Catholic school 'til age 79! Would that others learn from her!
IrishDorothy7 | Sep 24, 2010, 06:53 PM EDT
Please tell Mrs Murphy how very sorry I am that this humiliating predicament happened to her. I pray that Immigration comes to their senses NOW and returns that green card to a woman who so clearly deserves it. I am saddened by this whole episode and wish Mrs Murphy well from now on. Warmly, Christine H. Coughlan
Nelsonbarry | Sep 24, 2010, 06:40 PM EDT
Shouldn't US Immmigration be looking for more serious things then a 80 year old Irish grandmother. If her nephew was president of the US, she would not be paying taxes and would be on state aid living free in state housing.
elektros | Sep 24, 2010, 06:20 PM EDT
Citizenship is a red herring, because it isn't required. I have my green card right here. It is marked as a PERMANENT resident card and it says that "the person identified by this card has the right to work and reside in the US". All the ignorant fools should shut up and leave the poor woman alone.
jamieLM | Sep 24, 2010, 06:13 PM EDT
Some of these homeland security people don't have any common sense - none. If Mrs. Murphy doesn't want to become a citizen, that's her right. I'm sorry to hear that this nice lady has been hassled by some incompetent people. I've also been interrogated and held up by a security (twit) guy who could barely speak English. Hopefully in the near future, immigration & homeland security can focus their efforts on identifying legitmate threats to the U.S. and resolve this ridiculous case against Mrs. Murphy, ASAP. What a senseless hassle for Mrs. Murphy and a waste of our tax-payer money this has been!
jamthecat | Sep 24, 2010, 05:45 PM EDT
I'm sorry about the horrors being visited upon Mrs.Murphy, but how can you expect stupid people to stop making stupid comments? It seems that's part of being an American, these days -- revealing just how stupid and hateful you are via the internet, all with complete anonymity. Brings out the true nature of the scum. I hope Mrs. Murphy is allowed to return to her home in the US, but the truth is she's riled up the animals and now her life will be anything but tranquil...until the little devils find some other person to trash. It's diseased, but it's reality. Dammit.
Schenck2 | Sep 24, 2010, 04:44 PM EDT
Were the people that interagated her born in the US? Did they speak without an accent so that anyone could understand them? My naturalized friend got her citizenship after she was interagated by a person from a middle eastern country that she, with a MA in Engish, could barely understand. She vowed, never again would such hold her fortunes in their hands. Imagine how frightened Mrs. Murphy must have felt.
feliciamaisey | Sep 24, 2010, 03:41 PM EDT
This makes Americans look as stupid as the world often perceives us; I hope she finds the peaceful resolution she deserves and anyone who attacks her....well, I won't go there.
killowen | Sep 24, 2010, 02:22 PM EDT
morons come in all shadings - a religious conversion would solve this problem and with massive backing to boot.
Ajreaper | Sep 24, 2010, 02:10 PM EDT
An 80 year old grandmother returning from Ireland with a green card is detained and questioned for over 3 hours- are our immigration and homeland security folks that incompetent or just that bored? I am appalled as a tax payer that our money was and will be wasted further on this matter. Apparently for positions with homeland security the hiring slogan is "Nitwits please apply"
haikued2 | Sep 24, 2010, 01:54 PM EDT
Anyone bad mouthing this lady should go live in another country...we don't need their stupidity here, there is enough in Washington DC right now. PS..I am 72 years old, retired military, love the Tea Party Movement, and have two immigrant daughters in law...plus a son living and working in Ireland. Am I a terrorist, NO, I still want to hold onto the FREEDOM I grew up with and I think Bridie enjoyed as well.
Guinnessboy | Sep 24, 2010, 01:53 PM EDT
I think people should show some compassion and care towards this lady, who emigrated to the US back in fifties like many of her countrymen and women, quite legally. Technically she strayed outside the law, but when you get to 80 years ago, you are not as sharp or quick which you once were. When she emigrated the world was much different place.I cant help but feel the US has embraced anti terrorism zeal, like it did with the communism threat during the fifties; and as a consequence genuine peolpe are being put in the mix with bin laden I feel very much for this lady and her family, and she made her own contribution to the US after emigrating. She is a living link to the great Irish American history, that exists peolpe our two peolpes, which has been echoed by George Washington, Ab Lincoln, Ben Franklin, to mention a few. In fact Ben Franklin, addressed the Irish parliament, petitioning support for American Independence and was greated enthusiastically.I consider that our two nations, two very good old friends, who go back a long way. Good Bless Irish America and this lady.
KMcSinger | Sep 24, 2010, 11:39 AM EDT
Th fact is, by law she did not have to apply for full citizenship. She can legally live and work in the US for the rest of her life with her greencard. She just has to be more aware about how much time she spends outside the country. There is no moral or legal reason that she has to apply for full citizenship if she doesn't want to.
yrrab24 | Sep 24, 2010, 11:25 AM EDT
What a stupid comment!!!!! "Welcome to the Republic of Corporate America." More like Welcome to the NEW Liberal, socialistic America ---this is socialism at its best!
JamesMurphy | Sep 24, 2010, 11:18 AM EDT
Citizenship, for Green Card holders, is a formality and an easy one at that. Declaring falsely that it is a "complicated process" is, well, false. We live in a democracy, not Byzantium.
Flamenureyez777 | Sep 24, 2010, 10:59 AM EDT
I have started a formal petition at the petition site on care2.com to keep her in the US. Her treatment is totally unfair. Every day hundreds of illegals pour into our country and then live off our government with no repercussions yet this woman who has clearly laid roots here and has been a functioning member of our society is receiving deplorable treatment that should be reserved for terrorist and others who come here and wreak havoc on our economy!!!!!!!! Birdie I wish you all the best and God willing we will fight and get you thru this.
Searlit | Sep 24, 2010, 10:17 AM EDT
Welcome to the Republic of Corporate America.
babs1964 | Sep 24, 2010, 10:10 AM EDT
I think if she has a Green Card, what's the problem. I wish she could just live her life and not have to feel all this pressure at this point in her life.
bowwowser | Sep 24, 2010, 09:43 AM EDT
She's been in the US for 60 years...has she caused any problems in those 60 years? Has she advocated overthrow of the government? Is she a prostitute? Is she a drug runner? Does she dabble in sales of weapons? Is she a counterfeiter? My guess is ,"No" to all of the above. (Perhaps I have missed something illicit or illegal in this woman's life.) What she is ...is an "easy target!" She isn't going to pull the "race card," she doesn't have any hoodlum friends who are going to chase down the immigration officials and threaten them, she will not cause any out-of-control riots, she doesn't have any country's leader demanding she be allowed to stay because they "say so!" I could continue in this vein for several more sentences, but, hopefully, SOMEONE sees the picture.....she has her green card; she was given the "go ahead", initially, to leave the country for the desired amount of time, and yet, she, a little, old, white-haired "granny" is "caught. She had no "ulterior motives!" She was completely above board in her actions. Why can't the US gov't do as well with the influx of CRIMINAL illegals? Because THEY will fight back with their protests, marches, riots, screams of "racism", ad nauseam.
phoenixnurse | Sep 24, 2010, 09:36 AM EDT
Leave this sweet lady alone! She is a productive, good woman, who raised her children, contributed to her community, and caused no harm to anyone. She came here legally and had a "Green Card". For God's sake, what is wrong here? She went about her business and is a law abiding person. Give her back her Green Card and go after the real illegals and terrorists...NOT "SWEET" old ladies.... This is an outrage!
tomgallagher | Sep 24, 2010, 09:23 AM EDT
Malarkey, she could have had dual citizenship in a heartbeat.
stephendoyle | Sep 24, 2010, 09:12 AM EDT
Having 2 children serving in the military gives her more right to be in this country than most Americans. It is appalling what happened to her and profound apoligies are owned this woman.
clevelander | Sep 24, 2010, 09:00 AM EDT
Her choice is not to become a American Citizen. My Parents have been in the States for 45 years and are not Citizens because they choose not to. My Brother made the same choice. My Wife has been here for 10 years and has no intention of becoming a Citizen. By doing this yes they are subject to all the negative aspects this brings. And they are aware of them. But this case seems a little over the top. And yes my parents, brother and my wife love this country and plan to stay here, they just choose not to be citizens, as they have the right to.
haasny007 | Sep 24, 2010, 08:59 AM EDT
US citizenship is one of the easiest to obtain, particularly for English native speakers like Bridie. The civics test is joke. If you don't pass it then you don't deserve a US passport. There was no reason for Bridie not to apply for US citizenship, she also could have kept her Irish citizenship.
EasaDara | Sep 24, 2010, 08:54 AM EDT
Look, there may be more to this than meets the eye but the facts are that she has a green card and is legally allowed to remain out of the country for up to one year without any question and up to 2 years presenting a reentry permit. If her stay is 6 months or more but less than one year, she may be challenged upon reentry. It seems harsh that an 80 year old woman would be interviewed for 3 1/2 hours to ascertain her threat level to the border and internal security of this country. Have we got to the point when the internal security is so weakened that a women who has lived her for 60 years with 2 sons in the military is such a threat?
rtburno48 | Sep 24, 2010, 08:53 AM EDT
This is outrageous! Instead of qu3stioning this pooor elderly woman, theyb should be watching our boarders, both north and south. There are thousands of illegles coming in every day. Wise up immigration and get rid of the people who really do not be long here.
GeorgeDillon | Sep 23, 2010, 03:26 PM EDT
This guy Lavery is selling a bill of goods. The fact is that US citizenship is not hard to attain. The real tricky thing is getting the Green Card. Once you have that and keep your nose clean for a few years, citizenship is a bit of a cakewalk. Of course there are things like giving finger prints, taking the US culture test etc., but as a native speaker of English that General Knowledge test would be easy for this lady.