Monday, January 26, 2009

Heading to the exits in Ireland

The rush of people heading to the exits in Ireland continues unabated. The Irish Times reports that "12,790 working holiday visas were granted in the last six months of 2008 by the Australian department of immigration and citizenship, up 52 per cent on the same period of 2007."

Coming back from Ireland last week I noticed that the flight was full and that 80 per cent of the passengers were under 30. Where were they all going?

The pity of it all is that the Australian working visa offers the Irish a way into the legal immigration system. Unfortunately, as we all know to our cost, there is no such pathway for the Irish in America. America's loss - never mind Ireland's loss - will truly be Australia's gain.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

No, point in coming here to the states if you do not have a visa.
If you have no visa or over stay the visa waiver, you are nothing more than a small mistake from going to prison for at least six weeks.
Get you parents, family and friends to call their local T.ds/ reps, to lobby the irish gov to help their son and daughters living undoucmented in the US.
Elections are coming up this year in Ireland. Tell you family to say
NO HELP-NO VOTE, to the partys that knock on their door looking for support.

Anonymous said...

Can anyone tell me what do the Irish Consulate and Irish Embassy offices in the U.S do for the undoucmented Irish?
Mabey it is time they got of the soft seat and done something to help. Mabey they should do what they are paid to do, HELP IRISH CITIZEN'S who are in trouble.
Help groups like the ILIR.
Just a thought...

Anonymous said...

They have helped with money grants
thats about it. This is America not Ireland it will be the US Gov that will change the laws and should be lobbied hard to do so.
f the Irish Gov!

Anonymous said...

Well said, I so much agree to tell them straight out if we the undocumented irish in the U.S don't get help then our family's cannot vote for them. And I also agree that the Irish Consulate should get off there soft seat and start pushing hard to get us legal!

Anonymous said...

They do what they always do, go for the best dinners and get their photo in the paper at least once a week.
Irish taxpayers money at its best.

Anonymous said...

No one made us come here. This is a country that is not ours but a country that has let us live and work tax free for however long you have been here! I hate how everyone who came here fully knowing they were or will become illegal and think after a while we decide our fate! Stop being angry!! The country owes us nothing! It is up to the good graces of this government wheather we get to stay. And become legal not US.

Anonymous said...

If you are working and do not pay taxes, but you want to ask for a visa. Yeah we really want more like you here.
As for the money and grants, where do you think the money came from?
Ah maybe the irish Gov\tax payers.

Anonymous said...

Excuse me,

I am here 13 years,pay health insurance,taxes and work my ass off.America owes me nothing and I ask for nothing in return except to live here.I am more productive than the majority of Americans who were born here with all the rights that entitles them!.If you(anonymous) have a valid point leave your name and don't try to pass your self as one of us.....you are not that clever and we are not that green!!

Maria

Anonymous said...

True but at least the irish people here contribute to the economy, we dine out, buy cars, go on holidays, some pay taxes, spend moneys on nice things, live in well maintained apartments (not 20 people living in a 2 bedroom apt) get all the channels off time warner, simple things like this creates jobs and puts money back in the governments pocket,
How many irish people will be out to watch the superbowl this sunday? how many people have bbqs on the 4th of july? how many people cook a big turkey on thanksgiving? We respect the american way of life and adapt to it, other nationality's do none of these things, they gladly work these days,
The biggest mistake the ILIR made was not going it alone, if i were american i would find it hard to give out green cards to people who are only here for the money or try change a country into one of its own, english is the national language here why was there a debate about this?
I personally and im sure a lot of irish out there would be more than happy to pay a fine and have to leave and enter the country legally to get a green card but this was a problem for others ????
The irish should go it alone,

Anonymous said...

The people who live in Ireland are that sick in the head ,they are now blaming immigrants doing low paid jobs for taking there jobs.The bus companys in Dublin had to let drivers go because so many immigrants left Ireland no one else was useing the busses.House rents, retail and many other sercives are starting to suffer because of immigrants
leaving .Be very carful what you wish for America

AniBoy76 said...

I am the son of an Irish citizen who obtained his Irish citizenship after I was born. If there is a bilateral agreement between Ireland and the US will there also be a reform in citizenship?
It is EQUALLY as hard for Americans to come live in Europe and build a life here with an unending sea of beauracracy.
Although they won't throw us into prision I am expecting any new laws put into practice will also have an effect on Americans living abroad.

Anonymous said...

Some of us has not worked Tax free we have used SSN and have paid our tax and have not try to scam the Country. It was an Irish architect that designed the white house, our ancestors have build the country and I think we should not be treated as terrorists! For we bring no harm to America or American people we just want a normal life where we have established for decades now! They should bring us into the system give us a SSN and at least give us residency and a chance to become citizens of the U.S.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous its not that straight forward. I know undocumented people that were legal in the US and paid/pay tax's.
The immigration laws are broken and now them same people are illegal. But they still pay there tax's.

So whats your point anonymous ?

Anonymous said...

I am the son of an American Citizen and it does nothing for me at all, The reason is that my mother did not spend enough time in this country for me to be legal! I think the Irish government treat the American version the same way! Your parent does not live in Ireland then tough!