CNN feature on plight of undocumented Irish

CNN talks to ILIR founder Niall O'Dowd, Orla Kelleher from the Aisling Irish Center and "Bridget," in New York as part of a feature on the plight of the undocumented Irish. 

Former INS counsel at USCIS explains why immigration system is broken and needs fixing

Sarah Thomas Maldonado inserts some sane commentary on the so-called debate over immigration.
As Maldonada makes clear at LoHud.com, "for the majority of people, there is currently no legal way to apply to become a resident/citizen of the United States."
She should know.
Maldonado, who currently heads the Immigration Law Practice at Jones Garneau LLP, is a former assistant district counsel at the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Read what she has to say http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20107290336.

And still the deportations go on...

The New York Times reported the sad story of the Irish man who now faces deportation after spending the July 4 holiday with his American girlfriend on a yacht in the Long Island Sound. The Times story reveals how he was caught by Coast Guard Officials during a customs check of the yacht.

Irish fleeing Ireland in droves as emigration set to hit 120,000 for year

Here's an image to stop you in your tracks. The number of people who will emigrate from Ireland in 2010 and 2011 will add up to 120,000. And as the business editor of the Irish Independent pointed out last week, that is the figure given by the last census for the population of Cork City.
Think about it. Imagine chopping off Cork and letting it drift into the Irish Sea and then around the corner of the Kerry coast into the Atlantic. Before you know it, Cork would be bumping up against Manhattan.
Read more at IrishCentral

There Are Illegal Irish Immigrants Too

CQ WEEKLY – VANTAGE POINT

May 31, 2010 – Page 1318

By Theo Emery, CQ Staff

More than half of illegal immigrants to the United States come from Mexico, which puts our

southern neighbor at the center of the immigration debate and is the reason President Obama last week said he would send National Guard troops to help protect the border.

But what about the Irish?

An Irish-American group has for several years lobbied to arrange a path to citizenship for the 10,000 or more illegal Irish immigrants in the country — an asterisk among roughly 10 million undocumented non-citizens, but significant nonetheless.

“As far as Irish immigrants are concerned, a ‘no Irish need apply’ sign hangs on the Statue of

Liberty. Take it down,” says Ciaran Staunton, who co-founded the Irish Lobby for Immigration

Reform in 2005 and worked with Sens.

Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and John McCain of Arizona on their immigration (ROLL CALL / CHRIS MADDALONI) legislation.

Staunton is part of a coalition of immigrant-rights groups, ranging from Asians (an estimated 1

million illegal immigrants) to Africans (perhaps 300,000), urging Congress to act this year on

comprehensive legislation that would, among other things, allow a chance for citizenship.

But it’s hard to be heard in the dominant debate over Mexicans and other Latin Americans.

Asians and Africans, despite their numbers, “are often actually ignored when it comes to

dialogue or discussions about immigration reform,” says Chuks Eleonu, president and CEO of

the African Peoples Action Congress.

Staunton, however, doesn’t begrudge Latinos the attention. “When you fire a stone at an

undocumented from Nicaragua, you’re hitting one from County Kerry,” he says. “We’re all in it

together.”

Source: CQ Weekly

The definitive source for news about Congress.

© 2010 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Irish advocate presses immigration reform

From the San Antonio News

By Elaine Elaya

Ciaran Staunton, (above) president of the New York-based Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, was in San Antonio on Friday to promote passage of comprehensive immigration reform and encourage Irish Americans to push their congressional delegations for support.

Proposed reforms — yet to be introduced in Congress and stymied amid divisions over clearing a path to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants in the nation illegally — rest in the office of Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

This week, President Barack Obama reiterated his support for immigration reform during Mexican President Felipe Calderón's visit, adding that Republican support is crucial for passage.

Staunton agreed. Read more

There's work to do

Thanks so much to everyone who came out Thursday night for the meeting in Queens. Sen. Schumer's message was clear; there's work to do.

IrishCentral.com posted on the evening of the meeting. Read the blog post here.

Sen. Schumer gave a wonderful injection of spirit to the 350 strong meeting as he pledged "We're not giving up on immigration reform.

His surprise visit to the meeting was in an effort to rally much needed support. He explained that the effort needs another Republican backer in the Senate.

"But," he said, "that's why we need your help."

"We're about ready to go...We're not there yet but we're getting there."

The Irish Echo newspaper also published an article this week summarizing the evening. To read the article click here.

Schumer proposes to have a comprehensive immigration reform bill ready for congressional debate by May 1.

He insisted that he is committed to a comprehensive immigration reform “with every atom in my body,” to getting “a strong comprehensive immigration reform bill through this year.”

“I believe in this cause; we’re going to get this immigration bill done.”

Bruce Morrison described Senator Schumer as being a super campaign leader but also said “he’s not God, he needs us.”

Later on this afternoon the Irish Echo also posted a blog on the possibility of a “May Surprise”.

One message that was clear is that politicians need our support to keep pushing for a comprehensive immigration reform.

Please keep an eye on the blog or search for “Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform” on facebook.com for the latest news from the group.

Join us on Facebook!

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform has moved to Facebook! Join us there on our new Facebook page!

Standing room only at ILIR meeting in New York

Several hundred people packed out Rory Dolan's in Yonkers, New York for the launch of the ILIR's 2009 campaign.

Read more at the Irish Echo

Read more at Irish Central

Click here to see a slideshow of images

Click here to see RTE report

Calling New York Irish for immigration meeting

Times says labor unions back legalization deal

The nation’s two major labor federations have agreed for the first time to join forces to support an overhaul of the immigration system, leaders of both organizations said on Monday. The accord could give President Obama significant support among unions as he revisits the stormy issue in the midst of the recession. read more

New hope for undocumented Irish

Bart Murphy, the chairman of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, has welcomed the news that the Obama administration is planning a new initiative on the U.S. immigration system later this year.

On Wednesday, Cecilia Muñoz, deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs in the White House, said that the President would begin examining ways in which undocumented workers could gain a path to citizenship. Read more

Bruce Morrison with Boston Irish at ILIR meeting

A large crowd gathered at the Irish Cultural Center of New England in Canton, Massachusetts on Monday night to hear from the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR).

The meeting, which was organized by Irish immigrants Hugh Meehan and Jimmy Gallagher, was a great success, according to ILIR chairman Bart Murphy. Read more

ILIR draws Boston crowd (Irish Echo)

After a hiatus and a change in chairmanship the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform resumed its public campaign for immigration reform this week with a meeting at the Irish Cultural Center of New England in Canton, just outside Boston.
Several hundred attended the meeting to hear the ILIR's Ciaran Staunton vow that the group "wants to make sure that this is the last generation of Irish in America that has to listen to a family member's funeral on the telephone. It is our goal that this is the last generation of Irish to be undocumented in America."
Former Congressman Bruce Morrison, a consultant to ILIR, outlined details of the proposed E3 visa scheme and pledged that, in one way or another, it would provide some benefits for the undocumented as well as providing a future long term, sustainable system of migration to the United States.
Recently elected ILIR chairman, Bart Murphy, stated that the U.S. immigration system had been broken for 45 years and that prior fixes such as the Donnelly and Morrison visas, although very helpful, had not dealt with the fact that there was little or no pathway for Irish immigration.
The crowd, estimated by organizers at 350, warmly applauded Massachusetts ILIR representatives Hugh Meehan and Jimmy Gallagher and pledged active involvement in the ongoing ILIR campaign.

350 turn out for ILIR in Boston

Over 350 Boston Irish braved a dark dreary evening to come to the Irish Cultural Center of New England in Canton, MA to hear ILIR President Ciaran Staunton vow "ILIR wants to make sure that this is the last generation of Irish in America that has to listen to a family member's funeral on the telephone. It is our goal that this is the last generation of Irish to be undocumented in America."

Former Congressman Bruce Morrison, public affairs consultant to ILIR explained the details of the proposed E3 visa and pledged that in one way or another it wil provide some benefits for the undocumented here as well as providing a future long term sustainable system of migration to the United States.

ILIR Chairman Bart Murphy stated that the immigration system has been broken for 45 years and that prior fixes such as the Donnelly and Morrison visas, although very helpful, did not deal with the systemic problem that there were little or no pathways for immigration.

The crowd gave enthusiastic support to local ILIR representatives Hugh Meehan and Jimmy Gallagher and pledged active involvement in the ILIR campaigns going forward.

Our picture shows LIR Chairman Bart Murphy, former Congressman Bruce Morrison, ILIR President Ciaran Staunton, San Francisco ILIR representative Celine Kennelly and Boston ILIR representatives Hugh Meehan and Jimmy Gallagher following a successful ILIR meeting in Boston.

ILIR goes back on the road

The ILIR has reorganized and is back on the road again for a series of meetings to let YOU have your say. We know you have questions about what's going on and we hope to have answers for you.
Our first meeting will take place at the Irish Cultural Center in Boston on Monday April 6 at 7.30pm. Speakers will include Bruce Morrison, ILIR chairman Bart Murphy, vice-chairman Ciaran Staunton and Celine Kennelly from the San Francisco Irish Immigration Pastoral Center. Questions? Call 718 598 7530 or e-mail nyoffice@irishlobbyusa.org

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Many ILIR supporters will know Samantha Melia who electrified so many meetings in the U.S. with her take-no-prisoners attitude. And those of you who attended the Friends and Family rally in Dublin would have heard Samantha's father make an impassioned plea for his daughter and all the undocumented Irish in the U.S. For those of us who met both Samantha and her father, it was clear that the apple truly never falls far from the tree.

We are saddened to report that Samantha's father, Davey Meade, has passed away in Ireland. We extend our deepest condolences to Sam and her husband Liam and all of the Meade family.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Murphy takes over at ILIR

The well-known Irish immigration advocate Bart Murphy is taking over as chairman of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.

Murphy, who sits on the board of the American Ireland Fund and is the chair of the coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, is one of the original ILIR board members.

He will be taking over from current chairman Niall O'Dowd. O'Dowd, who will swap places with Murphy on the advisory board, is stepping aside to devote his attention to a new business.

O'Dowd recently announced he was heading up a new Irish website irishcentral.com.which aims to become a global Irish portal.

However, O'Dowd has pledged to remain committed to the cause.

"I will continue to serve on ILIR's advisory board and be available to the organization on an ongoing basis,"he said.

"My new role at Irish Central requires full time attention and energy at this key period for immigration reform,” he said. "I believe Bart will do a magnificent job. There is no-one more experienced. "

Schumer to take helm on immigration panel

By Ray O'Hanlon rohanlon@irishecho.com

February 18, 2009 New York's Seantor Charles Schumer is the new chairman of the Senate Immigration-Sub Committee. He will take over the role vacated recently by Senator Edward Kennedy who held the position for 28 years.

The sub-committee, which also covers issues pertaining to refugees and border security, is an arm of the full Senate Judiciary Committee and in its new form will be made up of six Democrats, including Schumer, and foruR republicans with the ranking Republican being Senator John Cornyn of Texas.

Senator Schumer has considerable experience in immigration issues and his name has been for years associated with the diversity visa program.

Another member of the panel, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, recently visited Ireland and is seen as a strong supporters of Irish causes in Washington.

Meanwhile, Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform vice chairman Ciaran Staunton was back in the U.S. this week after a week long visit to Ireland during which he met with a number of Irish political leaders including foreign minister Micheál Martin and the new secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs, David Cooney.

Also at the meeting was Kate Hickey of the Irish-based Friends and Families of the Undocumented Irish lobby group.

"It was fairly good," Staunton said of the two-hour meeting.

"I was very impressed with the range and depth of Martin's knowledge of the situation both on the ground in the community and with the political situation in Washington. He understands that we have two very important issues at hand; the issue of the undocumented and the issue of future legal access to America," Staunton said.

"Clearly he is being kept well-up-to-date by Ambassador (Michael) Collins and others."

The meeting also included ILIR board member Bart Murphy who joined by phone from San Francisco.

Staunton said he was also impressed by David Cooney's grasp of the issues.

"Having grown up in an immigrant house he brings a unique insight to the immigration issue," Staunton said of the British-born and now top Irish diplomat

"He has a great understanding of the diaspora," he said.