I arrived in Boston in May 1997, and spent an amazing summer on Cape Cod. We left that September, having overstayed our 90-day visa waiver. I was only 21 and wasn't really thinking too far into the future. I returned to Boston in January 1998 and that was the last time I saw Ireland. I stayed in Massachusetts until late in 1999 and headed to New York to experience something different, not really thinking of visas or consequences at this point. Having fallen in love with New York and thriving there, I still live there, I love my job, but plan to go home in May permanently.
I do regret having stayed here so long illegally, I suppose I didn't see the time go really. I have traveled all over this beautiful country, and would have liked to build a real life here, but opportunities to do this aren't looking good at the minute. I really hope things pick up for the other illegals in America. Despite what anyone says we do jobs no Americans will do, and we do jobs no American will do as well as we can.
I believe the country needs us and it is a huge mistake to criminalize us, we are, for the best part, good people, hard workers who want nothing more than to be able to take part in American life, open a bank account, drive a car, go to school, visit the doctor, own a house, visit home without the fear of losing everything we have worked so hard for, basic things so many take for granted. America was my home for the past nine years, despite my lack of status, but I have given up on the government, and the Irish American's who don't seem to care about us anymore. There are so many influential Naturalized Irish here, with a huge voice who DO NOT USE IT. They have forgotten about us even though we work for them and run their multi- million dollar businesses, they have forgotten where they came from.
5 comments:
very well said!!!!
you are so right they do forget how and why they have come and how it was for them we work so hard and get no thanks very well said and you this statement is so right IT'S SAD......
Very well said the Irish that are legal that we work so hard for treat us worse than anyone else out here. Yet we put up with it cause we feel like we have to. They do this because they know we have no rights.........
I totally agree with you, cause we are illegal they think they are doing us a favour by giving us work and then they think we owe them something...
Fiona
Not all Irish-Americans have forgotten where they come from. While I can say I do not own a multi-million dollar company, I can say that part of the reason Americans will not do jobs that illegals will do is because many illegals will work for less than minimum wage, which an American will not, because we are Americans and we have rights.
I would like to see many of my friends and family become legal, I think the taxes that would be payed to the U.S. can only benefit us. But I don't like this beleif that "we deserve this." Have you paid taxes? Have you made an attempt? Have you broken the law by driving without a license, because "it is not your fault they won't give you one." Don't divide Irish Americans/Americans and Illegal individuals, that is when Americans get angered. While we feel for you and all those that came before you, we fight for your cause, but not at the price of being degraded because we are lucky enough to get our citizenship, or be born here. Stick together, stop pointing the finger and the blame, and we will see the Kennedy/McCain bill pass.
Post a Comment