RSS
Periscope


Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > Hispanics pleased as Obama launches his immigration reform effort at Irish reception

Periscope

by Niall O'Dowd

Recent Posts

Archives

RSS

Most Recent Tags

comment on article 26 Comments
Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 11:03 PM


Hispanics pleased as Obama launches his immigration reform effort at Irish reception


print this article Print
email this articleE-mail
Bookmark and Share





As he made his way along the rope line at the White House Irish reception on St. Patrick's night President Obama encountered three separate queries about immigration reform.

Later, staffers expressed surprise to me that the Irish were so concerned about the issue.

It is obvious however, that key players in the the Obama administration have now become aware of that fact. There are an estimated 50,000 Irish undocumented and more on the way with the economic crisis back home. Now is the time for action.

Obama mentioned his efforts for comprehensive reform in his remarks before 500 leading Irish Americans and it is clear that the matter has begun to surface as his next big legislative effort.

It was no accident that Obama announced it at the Irish party. Earlier in the week Congressman Luis Gutierrez , the key leader in the Hispanic lobby on this issue had announced he was going to oppose Obama's health care plan because of his lack of commitment to immigration reform.

After a frenzied series of meetings Gutierrez suddenly announced he was going to support the health care plan,as were the Hispanic lobby. Insiders say Obama promised in return to lead a push for comprehensive --and to announce it at the White House Irish event as Gutierrez wanted.

That would be no surprise. Gutierrez saw the strength of the Irish lobby in recent years when he attended the Washington rallies held by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and almost every major player on Capitol Hill attended. He also went to Ireland on a recent congressional delegation and discussed the Irish role in immigration reform there

Obama also invoked the name of Senator Edward Kennedy on the issue to an Irish audience who considered him a hero. Obama would hardly have invoked Ted Kennedy lightly on this question. The mention of his name in connection with immigration drew loud applause.

Obama said: "He knew, as we do, that our nation is infinitely richer for not only the contributions of the Irish throughout history -– but the contributions of people from around the world. That’s why I’m pleased that there’s bipartisan progress being made in an area that I know was close to his big heart -– and that's fixing our broken immigration system. (Applause.) And that’s why my own commitment to comprehensive immigration reform remains unwavering."

So its game on for immigration reform. If Obama gets health care through he has a shot and the Irish lobby will be in his corner on this one.



email this articleE-mail

Most recent of 26 comments - See all comments

It may take several minutes for your comment to appear.
Report abuse
Posted by BostonIrish on Mar 23, 2010, 03:05 PM EDT
"So its game on for immigration reform. If Obama gets health care through he has a shot and the Irish lobby will be in his corner on this one." I will be right in his corner with you. It's time to legalize these hard-working TAX-PAYING immigrants. Unknown to most of you, a lot of undocumented immigrants actually do pay taxes. Legalize them and the rest will pay taxes too. Immigration Reform 2010!
Report abuse
Posted by bets731 on Mar 21, 2010, 10:58 PM EDT
I agree with Irish and Proud
Report abuse
Posted by bets731 on Mar 21, 2010, 10:55 PM EDT
I think Obama has no business is Ireland and he should keep his narcisstic nose out of it. He is ruining America and he wants to drag the whole world into the same thing.
Report abuse
Posted by conniep on Mar 20, 2010, 10:55 PM EDT
im illegal and i pay my taxes i got a tax id number should i be deported so,what i dont like is the people working here illegally and send all their money back to their home country and not spend it here
Report abuse
Posted by peterson on Mar 20, 2010, 06:04 PM EDT
The Illegals are already costing our local public assistance programs. They do not pay any taxes and are paid cash for their cheap labor. Many of them are criminals and are a danger to the public.
Report abuse
Posted by JOSIESAR on Mar 20, 2010, 12:47 PM EDT
hey imuverin. I am a 1st generation american; my parents came from Belfast LEGALLY AND LEFT BECAUSE OF THE TYRANNY AGAINST CATHOLICS. I HAVE WORKED VERY HARD FOR MY PENSION AND MY HUSBAND HAS WORKED VERY HARD FOR HIS. WE PAID INTO IT FOR 30 TO 40 YEARS. AND AGAIN TEA PARTY PEOPLE NOT ALLOWED? WHAT A HYPOCRITE YOU ARE
Report abuse
Posted by anything22 on Mar 20, 2010, 09:19 AM EDT
Yes, let's deport and ship 18-26 million uneducated hispanik third worlders to Ireland and see how well it goes.
Report abuse
Posted by FatherVol on Mar 20, 2010, 08:02 AM EDT
Will you extend amnesty to undocumented people moving into Ireland since you are clearly a proponent od nations without borders and opposed to national sovereignty?
Report abuse
Posted by IrishAndProud on Mar 19, 2010, 10:32 PM EDT
So hyattsville...you think that if anyone opposes less Medicaid, higher taxes, poorer medical care, thousand-dollar-plus fines if you DON'T get insurance, and more people DYING because some government beaurocrat doesn't think they deserve treatment...that they're mentally ill? I say they're mentally blitzed if they DON'T oppose 'Obamacare.'
Report abuse
Posted by Pat Riley on Mar 19, 2010, 09:16 PM EDT
The obvious solution to the illegal immigration problem is to enforce the immigration laws and prosecute the hell out of employers who hire the illegals.
Report abuse
Posted by Madeleine on Mar 19, 2010, 06:16 PM EDT
IMUVERIN: We have a right to pensions if we worked for them. My Grandmother came from Norway legally. We pay for our own health care, we are being forced into Gov. Health care but at least we are putting up a fight. Tea Party people not allowd here?
Report abuse
Posted by Madeleine on Mar 19, 2010, 06:10 PM EDT
His health care bill is genocide, don't you have seniors in Ireland? we are not anti immigration, we are anti illegal immigration just as Ireland would be if they allowed it.
Report abuse
Posted by DorothyStrunk on Mar 19, 2010, 05:43 PM EDT
It's about time.
Report abuse
Posted by hyattsville on Mar 19, 2010, 04:21 PM EDT
I’m surprised at the lack of support that those of you with obvious mental health issues give to Obama’s healthcare reform efforts.
Report abuse
Posted by patrickesq on Mar 19, 2010, 01:30 PM EDT
President Obama has a good heart and head. If he can get enough Congressional support we will get immigration reform, despite the howls cries and anti-immigrant politics of the 'Far Right'.
Report abuse
Posted by Dompedro on Mar 19, 2010, 01:23 PM EDT
what do the ILIR and Niall O'Dowd propose to do about the illegal immigrants who came into the United States yesterday? the ones who will arrive next week? next year ? One can't understand the issue if one has not lived and worked in the Southwestern U. S. and finds that he can't converse with people in the workplace. have they read about the City of Juarez recently?
Report abuse
Posted by CLoghry1938 on Mar 19, 2010, 01:11 PM EDT
If Obama opens his mouth be prepared for another Lie.What he calls reform is probably capitulation.
Report abuse
Posted by imuverin on Mar 19, 2010, 01:07 PM EDT
I didn't think there where so many of the right wing tea Party reading IRISH Columns. But after two generations they forget where they came from and what their Immigrant forefathers had to deal with when they arrived in America to signs of "No Irish need apply". They can sit back with their Government Pensions and Public health-care plans paid for by the Taxpayer and enjoy their sedentary life.
Report abuse
Posted by peterson on Mar 19, 2010, 12:59 PM EDT
Do not trust this man. He lies !!!!
Report abuse
Posted by Advocate on Mar 19, 2010, 12:08 PM EDT
Insane Hussein continues to bribe and but 'votes' on his Obumanightmare/healthcare issue and whatever lese he desires to aid in our rapid demise! (See Deut. 17:15 and 28:43). He is able to do his wicked deeds because We the SHEEPle remain sound asleep and are of 'no-effect' against these anti-American traitors! Idiots we have become!
Report abuse
Posted by jmacroibin on Mar 19, 2010, 10:56 AM EDT
No one cares if the Hispanics are pleased!
Report abuse
Posted by ritmomente on Mar 19, 2010, 09:37 AM EDT
I am not suprised that Gutierrez caved on the healthcare "reform" bill. We fought for the Pro-Life aspect of Immigration Reform in order to quell the Hispanics fleeing across the desert and give them better lives through EARNED citizenship. It is of no suprise that so many in the Hispanic community demanded amnesty (which they are not due) and now have turned their backs on the unborn.
Report abuse
Posted by mandokeith on Mar 19, 2010, 09:23 AM EDT
He makes a lot of promises he can't (or won't) keep. It would be great to help the undocumented Irish who have helped America to be a better country, but then they have to also help the hispanics and muslems who are pulling American down. So don't hold your breath........
Report abuse
Posted by IrishAndProud on Mar 19, 2010, 05:16 AM EDT
(continued) This November is looking to be one massive political bloodbath for his party, though.
Report abuse
Posted by IrishAndProud on Mar 19, 2010, 05:16 AM EDT
If Obama is willing to fly in the country's faces ramming his rancid hell care reform through with all sorts of dirty back-room deals (against the clear wishes of a clear majority of the USA), I've no doubt he'll also be just as willing to fly in their faces to the same (if not greater) extent, by trying to reward illegal aliens with citizenship. And why not? Flying in the country's face is just about all this drip has done, since assuming office.
Report abuse
Posted by cjindallas on Mar 19, 2010, 12:35 AM EDT
sweet!!
 




Connect to IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

Welcome to IrishCentral!
Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Username:
E-Mail Address:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy


Welcome to IrishCentral!
All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US

E-Mail Address:
First select a unique username:
Username:
Now choose a password:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Thank you!

Just one more step and you will be part of the largest Irish community in America! Tell us a little more about you to start enjoying all the features of IrishCentral.

Additional Information:

First Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Zip:
Gender: Male  Female 
Country:
Degree of Irishness:
Household Income:
Level of Education:

Subscribe to our newsletters:

The Best of IrishCentral - Daily Newsletter
Special Offers from our sponsors

or
Skip

You can edit your information at any time, just go to "my account" when you're logged in.

Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password