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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Why was an Irish businessman and father-to-be arrested in his NYC home?

Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 07:21 AM

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An ICE official detains an unknown man

Recently an Irish businessman arrived home from his busy workday in Manhattan to find immigration agents outside his house.

Clearly because he was undocumented he had been turned in by someone who saw him as an enemy. He was immediately arrested and has since been detained in an immigration holding prison in New
Jersey.

His wife is several months pregnant and his family no doubt is deeply distressed by what has happened to him.

I am not going to identify him for obvious reasons, but suffice to say his arrest has been the big story in the community this week.

There are many questions around this case, but the most important one is very simple.

Why was this man picked up?
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Why was an Irish businessman and father-to-be arrested in his NYC home?

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He had dozens of people employed, was well-known as a very hard worker and a man who gave back to his community.

He was active in several Irish societies. There was even a photograph of him with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny at one event.

I don’t personally know this man who was picked up, but several of his friends have attested to his hard work, basic decency and ability to create new businesses and jobs in New York City.

He is not unlike millions of Irish before him who came to America, worked hard and made a better life for themselves and everyone around them.

His only flaw was that he came at a time when No Irish Need Apply signs are back when it comes to getting working visas in America.

The Obama administration has made a big deal lately of its new policy of only tracking down criminal aliens and ignoring those who are just here to try to make a living.

The arrest of this Irishman would seem to give the lie to that particular policy.
I don’t know how much it will cost to incarcerate him, process his case and eventually, I guess, deport him, but it will surely run into the six figures.

I understand that immigration authorities in the U.S. have a job to do, and in the main they try and do it well I’m sure.

The Obama administration, like in many other areas, has talked a good game on immigration but delivered very little.

Either there is a coherent policy here that the target is those illegals who have broken the law and should be deported, or the opposite, that non-criminal aliens can also be sought out.

We can’t blame the agents for the arrest as they were clearly following orders, but the fact is that under Obama’s outline I understood that such people as this Irish businessman would no longer be deported, and that priority was to be given to those with criminal records.

So will he now be set free at some point, or is the administrative system going to swallow him up?

And what is the point of arresting him if there is no long-term plan to deport him?

I can only imagine the nightmare he and his family and his pregnant wife have gone through on this occasion.

The sad part is that it is so unnecessary, such a waste of valuable time and resources and a young businessman’s ability to create jobs, help the New York economy and play his role in the greatest country on Earth. All that has been so cruelly thwarted for all the wrong reasons.

The need to reform immigration law has never been greater.
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Read more:
More on US politics from IrishCentral

Why was an Irish businessman and father-to-be arrested in his NYC home?

Was quarterback Tom Brady ‘talking Gaelic’ during heated argument?- VIDEO
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46 Comments

15 - 46 | See all comments

walter3ca | Dec 25, 2011, 10:33 AM EST

It is politically incorrect to deport the illgeal Hispanics. And they cannot deport the millions of citizens on welfare. So the Irish are an easy target.

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ciaradexy | Dec 18, 2011, 05:16 PM EST

proudirishlass-there is no misery in Ireland? Have you even been to ireland? 14.5% unemployment and 3,000 a month emigrating again. What are you talking about?

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Ernesider | Dec 17, 2011, 04:01 PM EST

I recall some rivalry in the 80's in Philly where one nasty fellow countryman snitched on another about his illegal workers and I witnessed three young men handcuffed to scaffolding in West Philadelphia. On my own lunch break I was going to see if they would be up in Travers in Upper Derby that night but the scene made me very sad and indeed afraid. There are many justices in this country and unless Nial and the in-crowd make the calls your gone.

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gobdawpaddy | Dec 17, 2011, 08:53 AM EST

He was arrested because he is in the country illegaly. In Ireland they 'turn a blind eye' to rules and laws and they expect the same when they emigrate to more civilized, law abiding enviorns. When Patrick comes here he/she has to realize their are laws that have to be recognized and Patrick is not exempt. RedBranch, turf them out.

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RedBranch | Dec 16, 2011, 04:21 PM EST

Hey Niall, what do you suggest we do with 'undocumented' Nigerians, Brazilians & Chinese in Ireland?

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JP5485563 | Dec 16, 2011, 11:16 AM EST

If he were a Mexican National in a Dallas Hospital collecting Free ObamaCare or a Jamacian Drug Dealer from Queens I am sure this wouldn't be an issue with ICE.

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proudirishlass | Dec 16, 2011, 09:45 AM EST

This summer a dear friend of ours from Guatemala was picked up by ICE and detained. I called for weeks every detention center, prison,police station and even ICE but all denied his existence. Three months later we learned that he had been returned to Guatemala.Within two months he was shot to death by some gang down there.He was a kind decent hard working man. He did not want to be illegal here but life in Guatemala was so difficult that he risked his life to get here. There is no comparison between the illegal Irish and Hispanic. Ireland has a welfare system that is very decent.There is no misery in Ireland.The majority of people living in South America are living in Poverty, corruption, and violence. Our dear friend knew what awaited him on his return home because he told us about life there. The only consolation is that his mother got to hold hold him for one last time. May he rest in peace.

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antoman | Dec 16, 2011, 06:40 AM EST

An American in Ireland is an American in Ireland. There is nothing illegal about him or her.

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bogsidebunny | Dec 16, 2011, 12:20 AM EST

Do the crime then you must do the time! NO MERCY!

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borefield | Dec 15, 2011, 11:01 PM EST

It doesn't sound like this young man is uneducated or stupid in any way. He is arrogant and foolish, now he is paying the price sadly. If he was from India, Phillipines or a Muslim no one would bother him, if they did the left wing media, like you Niall, would have every bleeding heart attorney defend him and make a case for him. Obama, never did, and never will do anything to assist the Irish. Wake up and face reality, Illegal is still illegal any which way you try to beat it is wrong.

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maryemoore | Dec 15, 2011, 10:41 PM EST

While it's a real shame that there was a snitch in the community, the truth of the matter he was here illegally. It is not true that there are signs in NYC that Irish need not apply. It is just that people are more cautious as ICE is more front and center in a post-911 world. Back in the day, the laws were much stricter and it helped that basically there was only one way to get into NY- through Ellis Island. You could not come here unless you had official papers that proved you had so much in funds and a relative here who would sponsor you and make sure you would not be a burden to society or have a promise of work. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case today. I am not without sympathy. I had a cousin who came here to Chicago. I warned him he was doing this wrong- overstaying his visitor's visa but he was young and impetuous. He worked construction, fell, broke his back and went back to Ireland. Now he cannot return here.

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bayirisham | Dec 15, 2011, 05:59 PM EST

The trouble here is that there is double standards.SF is a sanctuary city , if a cop stops an illegal alien with no drivers license no insurance etc he is given some time to call a friend to pick up the car no other questions asked. The you have this case where ICE throws the book at this guy.To the illegal Irish, make sure your kids are born in America and become automatic citizens, this system is completely broken an unfair.

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GregShox | Dec 15, 2011, 04:50 PM EST

I suppose he was arrested because he contravened the immigration laws.

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ProudCanadian | Dec 15, 2011, 02:06 PM EST

I have wondered for years why the Irish always want to go to the states. I have been to Ireland a few times and can't get my relatives to even visit Canada let alone immagrat here. Yet they want to go to the stats where they get nothing but a abuse from the American government, the people, etc. We in Canada would open our arms to the Irish and welcome them to our great country. I don't know why they continue to go to a country that doesn't want them. Come to Canada we will treat you good. I love Ireland and the Irish.

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pndirishandprou | Dec 15, 2011, 01:57 PM EST

While this is a heartbreaking story, it is certainly not a unique one. Thousands of illegal immigrants are facing similar situations every year. Don't blame Obama for this approach, rather look at what his unreasonable Republican critics are proposing in terms illegal immigration. Fact is that legal immigration into this country for regular folks is virtually impossible these days. You need family connection, to be a millionaire or a Nobel prize winner. So the idiotic statements of some immigration critics, to the effect that "... there is no excuse for illegal immigration because their grandfather came into this country the legal way too...." is so laughable because all granny needed back then was a pulse and somewhat sound mind in order to be admitted to this country.

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