Time Is Now for Immigration Action

THE announcement by Irish Foreign Minster Brian Cowen that the financial grants to emigrant groups in the U.S. and elsewhere have been increased is a welcome statement of support by the Irish government.

However, it is clear now that much more will be needed in the months and years ahead if the current situation, which is leaving tens of thousands in the U.S. without much hope of claiming legal status, is to change.

Back in the 1980s it was the combined power of the grassroots Irish American groups and the Irish government which brought about the Donnelly and Morrison visa programs which succeeded in legalizing tens of thousands of Irish. The contribution of such Irish to the country since is there for all to see.

Nowadays the situation is critical once again and we need a similar partnership. The Irish government is soon to assume the presidency of Europe from January 1 for a six-month period. 

It will be a time when the links between Ireland and the United States will become very important. There could hardly be a better time for the government to press the case for some form of relief for Irish undocumented in the U.S. 

No, it is not the stuff of international treaties or world events, but it is an issue that involves tens of thousands of Irish citizens, many of whom are caught in a very difficult situation here.

Post-September 11 there has been a crackdown on immigration to this country, and thousands of blameless young Irish now find themselves caught in the middle of it.

Many, for instance, cannot travel safely back to Ireland when there is a pressing reason, such as a death in the family. Matters are only going to get worse in the months ahead as measures aimed at stopping terrorism impact right across the board.

There are those, of course, who will argue that the young Irish undocumented are breaking the law anyway and that is what they deserve. The facts are, though, that the Irish have been badly shortchanged on the issue of immigration to the U.S. 

Despite the incredible contribution of the Irish to the country, we find ourselves in a limbo, forced to scratch at the margins of the immigration issue while other countries vault ahead.

The point is that immigration laws have nothing to do with fairness, merely with whoever can shout and lobby the hardest. Hispanic groups have been remarkably successful in securing new quotas, and it is to their credit that they have looked after their own.

What of the Irish? Can we not do something for those thousands who are faced with a horrible dilemma of having built lives here, that they face expulsion if they return home?

Of course we can. There was a similar situation in the 1980s with a flood of new emigrants, and the community and the Irish government at that time responded magnificently. It is clearly time we started thinking anew about this issue.

One of the most immediate plans might be to create an informational campaign in the community. There are so many rumors and false stories floating around that it would be very beneficial if people knew exactly where the law now stands. 

It is also important that immigrants understand there is more than one way to get a green card. Many, having thrown up their hands at any immediate prospects, do not investigate all the different preferences such as employment visas, etc., which can be just as successful.

Thus there is much to do in this field and we need to begin a major effort.