Schumer Steps in for McAllisters

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Schumer Steps in for McAllisters

October 17, 2007

By Cahir O’Doherty

NEW York Senator Charles Schumer has stepped in to try to stop the deportation of former Republican prisoner Malachy McAllister. Along with his son Sean, 19 and daughter Nicola, 21, McAllister, 50, is facing deportation back to Ireland within weeks if he receives an expected order from the Department of Homeland Security.

This week Schumer made an urgent phone call on McAllister’s behalf to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Julie Myers strongly urging her not to deport the former paramilitary and his two children on humanitarian and safety grounds.

Martin Brennan, New York state director for Schumer told the Irish Voice, “Senator Schumer had an extensive conversation with Director Myers and she was very familiar with the case, which is a very good sign. The senator made a strong argument listing all the compelling reasons for allowing the McAllisters to stay here, including humanitarian and safety reasons. The senator feels it would be a mistake to take any action now on the deportation of Malachy and his two children.”

In his discussion with Myers, Schumer citied the political precedent from the Clinton administration when Irish political prisoners were not sent back to the North because of the threats to their personal safety.

The refusal to deport former paramilitaries was also seen to support the building of the peace process in the North, and Schumer said he sees no reason to depart from that now.

“Malachy has made a life here, is a valued member of the community and it makes no sense to send him back into harms way,” Schumer said in a press release.

McAllister has lived with his family in the U.S. since 1996, following an assassination attempt in Belfast in 1988 when Loyalist gunmen burst into his home and fired 26 shots. The attempt followed McAllister’s release from prison in 1985, where he served three years in prison for paramilitary activities.

Speaking to the Irish Voice on Tuesday McAllister said, “Senator Schumer made a very public statement on our behalf at the recent Sinn Fein fundraiser at the Sheraton Hotel in Manhattan where he was onstage speaking about the peace process.

“The senator surprised me that he was so willing to discuss my case so publicly, so it just shows that he has a great understanding of the issues and that he’s willing to get out there and bat for me. He’s highly regarded politically and he has raised the issue to the forefront.”

Many Irish American organizations and elected officials have also supported the McAllisters’ cause, including the AOH, the United Irish Counties, and the Irish American Unity Conference.

On Tuesday Michael Glass, national chair for immigration with the Ancient Order of the Hibernians told the Irish Voice, “Homeland Security could come to its senses and decide that Malachy and his family are not a threat to the United States government or to anyone here. They could allow him to remain in the country where he’s been for 12 years — he and his family, I might add.”

“There’s been so much change in Belfast, but the Loyalists have not put down their weapons yet. There’s still uncertainty and concern,” McAllister said.

“My name was listed in a Loyalist website, I had a death threat before. At the end of the day the question has to be asked what purpose does it serve to send my children and I back to Northern Ireland? We fled from there 19 years ago.”

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