Thursday, June 28, 2007

Message for the future from Niall O'Dowd

I know the news today has been personally devastating for all the undocumented Irish who have fought the good fight to become legal in the United States.

It was always going to be a very difficult road to immigration reform but we need to understand that there is more than one way to approach this issue.

Comprehensive immigration reform is dead until after the November 2008 election. We need to follow another path in order to achieve our aims. We were unable to do that while comprehensive reform, involving 12 million undocumented, was under consideration.

We have been heartened by the immediate and strong response of the Irish government and Foreign Affairs Minster Dermot Ahern to the new situation. He has pledged the full support and backing for ILIR and has made clear that legalizing the Irish in America is a top priority for the new Irish government. Read On

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Neill:
Keep up the good work. It's going to be a long hard road but we know you can do it.

Carol

Anonymous said...

Can this country not see all the money they are losing in taxes by not making these people legal?

Anonymous said...

Terribly disappointing outcome today,though sadly,not unexpected.

All our hard work WILL pay off eventually,but we're all in it for the long haul,so lets keep the chins up and look for the light at the end of this long tunnel. We need to be strong now more then ever,otherwise what are our options?A mass exodus? A one way to Australia? No,nay,never.

To borrow from Pete Seeger "We shall overcome". Lets all pull together and before you know it,it'll be 2009.

On a lighter note, i'm glad i wont have at least ONE thing to thank George W. for during his residency at the white house.

Stay Strong everybody,

TIOCFAIDH AR LA,

PMB.

Anonymous said...

It's not about money. That's why you lost. Farewell ILIR. And good ridance.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear the "downer" news today. heard your interview on Irish Radio 1 "Drivetime" with Mary Wilson Niall and you sounded very encouraging despite the news.
As A green card holder who had to wait 9 years to get mine I know what all the undocumented are going through and have many good friends " salt of the earth" types who are caught in this limbo land. Well done to all who fought so hard and have kept a buoyant attitude throughout and are already looking to the future and the next round. If that ain't the "Irish Spirit" in America I don't know what is.
Keep on Keeping On and the day will come when those deserving emigrants are granted their deserved legal status in the nearest place to home any Irishman or Woman can live apart from Home.

Sean in Tipperary.

Anonymous said...

Although the outcome today was disappointing, the positive comments by Mr. O'Dowd were heartening. Having a strong Plan B gives me an optimistic feeling that we will succeed in 2008. We need to keep up the good fight!

Mary Mullin, Phila., PA

Anonymous said...

The Senate vote today is particularily disappointing given that a more favorable immigration bill was passed in the Senate last year. The Senate has ignored the wishes of the American people as most polls showed that the majority of Americans supported reform. The ILIR members have put in a tremendous effort over the last 18 months and the undocumented members deserve an opportunity at the American dream. It is a tough pillto swallow to have to wait in hope for the 2009 Congress for the next shot. Kudos to the ILIR leadership for trying to get a visa deal in 2008. However, even this optimist is upset that we will have to wait until 2009 for the possibility of immigration reform.

Jessica Hammer said...

Thank you so much ILIR for fighting the good fight on behalf of all the Irish here. I am a permanent resident, but have been politically active for the first time ever in honor of my immediate family, whose visas are expiring quickly. It will be a hard road now, as they may choose to go home rather than live undocumented any more, but I appreciate the hope that your daily e-mails have provided. So count me in for any further action, and thank you for awakening me to the possibilities of citizen involvement in this country. Jessica Delray Beach, FL/ Celbridge, Co.Kildare

Anonymous said...

A HUGE thanks for all the hard work put in over the past few years by the ILIR and its volunteers. You should be very proud of your efforts on behalf of all the undocumented here in the US.
I just wonder how it could be possible for Ireland to enter into a reciprocal visa arrangement with the US without all EU countries being included? It would be fantastic if it could be done, but I wonder how this hurdle can be overcome in all reality?
Yesterday was a sad day for all Irish people living here and today marks the start of alot of Irish people's plans to leave the U.S.

Anonymous said...

I see this as half-time; the second half is coming up. Can't go into the locker room defeated.

We showed that we can play big time. I think the best thing now is to come one and try to score one, then another one, then... the game will be won in the end!

Anonymous said...

show your face onion.we can do without natzi types in this country

Anonymous said...

Let all go home and we will have the last laugh there are around 77 million people going to pass away here from old age over the next 30 year.Mostly from white europen anstors then the south Americans will be the biggest group of people here and be running the show .So goodbye G O P and good riddens to your people hating ways . And then the brown lads will be calling the shots
What gose around comes around

Anonymous said...

In light of another 18 months until the next President is sworn in, for those undocumented that decide to stay until then, we will need a Democrat President to be at the helm to take the next run at comprehensive immigration reform. Looking at the Republican candidates, only McCain has immigration reform as one of his goals. Romney wants to make life miserable for the undocumented along the lines that the NY Times decsribed in an article a couple of weeks ago which they termed "silent amnesty". Giuliani who was the mayor of an immigrant city now has decided to turn on the undocumented to suit his Presidential aspirations. Eventhough Brownback who is nothing but a rank outsider has revealed his true colors with his vote on Thursday. As for the likely entrant to the race Fred Thompson, his conservative values will mean another staunch anti-immigration candidate in the race. So that leaves us with McCain and given how his campaign is struggling to raise money and the backlash he will get and has gotten aleady for standing with us in this fight, his chances do not look good now. So whether one is a Democrat/Republican/Independent or not interested, the only hope we have for 2009 comprehensive immigration reform in this writer's opinion is a Democrat from the following: Hillary, Obama, Edwards and who knows, maybe Gore. Lets listen closely over their campaigns to see if the chance for comprehensive immigration reform is part of their platforms even if not at the forefront. A long time to wait and hope but outside of the attempt at a special visa program described by Niall, that is all we have. Hang in there.

Anonymous said...

show your face anonymous. we can do without watuzi types in this country

Anonymous said...

now i know why you call yourself onion so you can change your skin and hide like the al quida. idiot

Anonymous said...

tainted onion....how do you claim US to be your country? You dont look american....you and your folks should be rounded up and sent to GITMO or on those CIA secret flights for re-orientation.

Anonymous said...

tainted onion more like toxic onion. Do yourself a big favor and take the "wise up pill!"

Anonymous said...

I'm not Irish, but I feel the same pain as you. My parents brought me here in 1989 at age 12. They didn't plan on staying long, but as with anyone who has left their country before, months turned into years and in 1997 my stepdad under bad legal counsel, TURNED himself in to the then INS in hope of legalizing our situation. He was given a work permit while he was fighting his case. But to his luck, he retained perhaps the worst lawyer in our city, who advised him to provide ALL his family members' information (essentialy turning us all in as well). In June 2001 we were served with notices to appear before an immigration judge, having never been detained or processed at all. Our court date would be September 21, 2001: Just ten days after 9/11. We knew that morning of the tragedy that the mood and laws in this country would change dramatically for the worse and so they have. In a case of mistaken identity this last winter ICE showed up at my house looking for someone else, and after questioning determined my status and am now in deportation proceedings. It is with a heavy heart that I write this because after having grown up in this country for 18 years, I will be likely ordered removed and could have a permanent barr or at least 10 years before I can even try to change my status. I've been advised to marry a citizen, but I'm not in love with anyone at this time, and I may be illegal, but not a fraud. Immigration Reform was my only hope to move on with my life and I cried all night on Thurday. My appeal should take at least a few months, I am working with our Hispanic community to try to get other legislation passed, such as the reinstatement of 245(i) or the DREAM act which could benefit me and thousands of others as well. The stakes are too high to not to continue the fight, but if this also fails, I am not willing to continue to give the best years of my life to a country that doesn't appreciate it. I'm looking into moving to Canada where I can take all of my American education and the professionals skills I've acquired during my life here somewhere else.

Good luck to all of you.

Anonymous said...

Niall, your a great Irish American!
We are behind you 100%, just say the word and we will be there for you!

Anonymous said...

Ah, this is more like the freewheeling ILIR blog I remember.
TO

Anonymous said...

post it sean this is the guy that doomed us all steve elliott you can see why here grassfire.org peace to all

Anonymous said...

now what ?
the laws are going to be enforced now. no more hiding. do we leave or stay to fight on

Anonymous said...

Who is hiding? Get of your ass and Stay and FIGHT!