Thread: Irish illegals get support from home

Last Updated: 14/04/2007 14:57
Irish illegals get support from home

Families of illegal immigrants in the US were today told the Government supported their efforts to be free to travel home without fear of being denied re-entry.

At a mass rally in Dublin, Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said he had a duty to do everything possible to alleviate the vulnerable position in which the undocumented find themselves.

Organised by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR), relatives also called on the US government to pass legislation to regularise the status of thousands of undocumented workers who are unable to travel home.

Mr Ahern said: "Our increasing prosperity is a phenomenon that all Irish people should take pride in. However, we should never forget the trauma of those who were forced to emigrate in less fortunate times or neglect those who remain in need today.

"Our new prosperity at home brings new responsibilities towards our communities abroad, particularly those who feel marginalised and isolated. The undocumented Irish in the United States are one such group."

Mr Ahern said while the undocumented were committed to building their lives in America, they also longed to have the opportunity to visit Ireland without fear of being denied re-entry.

"I am deeply conscious of how traumatic it is for an undocumented person to learn of a serious illness or death of a loved one in Ireland and be unable to visit the hospital or attend the funeral," he said.

"The awful pain of separation is particularly acute at such times."

Mr Ahern, who yesterday announced an additional €37,000 funding for the ILIR, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have repeatedly raised the issue with US politicians, including at last month's St Patrick's Day events in Washington.

The Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants, which is also supporting the rally in Jurys Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin, called for the undocumented to be given the respect and dignity afforded to citizens.

The North's incoming Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, also praised the efforts of the ILIR and pledged Sinn Fein's full support to its campaign.

"Regardless of people's politics, the issue of undocumented Irish in America and all the hardships that go with such status has to be resolved in a humane manner," said Mr McGuinness.

"We must remember that the undocumented Irish work very hard and make a powerful contribution to American social life and the economy. It is now time for them to be granted citizenship."

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaki ... king31.htm

The Irish should just cross the border into Mexico and then head to Ireland. On the return leg of the trip simply head back to Mexico and cross the border into the USA.....everybody else does.

Respect our country's laws. We have laws on how to come here legally.

Hard work does not give you the right to break our laws.

Dol dachaidh!

Originally Posted by MountainDog

Dol dachaidh!

Translation please

Western People (printer friendly version)

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1,500 attend Dublin rally for illegal Irish in United States
4/25/2007 - 11:37:00 AM

MORE THAN 1,500 people packed into Jurys Ballsbridge on Saturday, April 14 in support of their family and friends who are living illegally in the US.

The meeting had been organised by the New York-based Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.


Executive Director Kelly Fincham said that they were delighted with the turnout. “The sheer size of the crowd really sends a strong message that Ireland has not turned its back on the undocumented Irish in the US.”


Several top politicians also attended the meeting; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, and the new Deputy Minister in the North, Martin McGuinness spoke in support of the efforts to gain legal status for the Irish undocumented.


Mayo Deputy Michael Ring, who has raised the matter in the Dail on numerous occasions was also in attendance.


“It was important to have this rally in Ireland as we want to keep the campaign to the forefront for the General Election. I would be saying to people who have family living illegally in the United States to raise the matter with the candidates when they visit their homes. We need support from all political parties if we are to make a difference on this issue. It is vitally important that we do not forget our emigrants in America.”


It was the presence of the family members and their stories of separation which really drove the day’s events in Dublin.


One woman, Sheila Murphy, whose two children are both in Boston for the past 15 years, said it was the first time she had felt Irish people cared about their plight. “It’s been so tough the past few years because it was almost as if Ireland had turned its back on our own. I hated telling people that my son and daughter were in America because of some people’s attitude. Today has been magnificent. I feel much less alone.”


Dublin father, Dave Meade, described his frustration with critics who believe the undocumented Irish should just return home.


“They don’t understand what our children are going through,” he said. “America is their home now, so how can they just pack up and leave?”


“My daughter would happily pay fines to try and change her status. She’s already paying taxes. All she wants is a way to come out of the shadows and live a normal life.”


Donegal father Micheal McMahon told the packed hall that his son Micheal had been in the US for 14 years. “He is married to a lovely Irish woman, they have great children, who are also US citizens, and yet they can’t bring their children back to Ireland to visit us. We have to go to America to visit them. But some parents are getting older and the travelling to see their children and grandchildren is hard.”


The hall was dominated by a picture of two American children, Lily and Daniel, whose parents are unable to bring them back to Ireland.


The children’s aunt was in the audience and she said it was heartbreaking to see the pictures of the two children. “They’re so close, and yet so far,” she said.





http://www.westernpeople.ie/news/story.asp?j=36689

Jean's

Translation please

Jean, MountainDog is not here at the moment. I will respectfully translate it in his absence.

ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU COME FROM

“They don’t understand what our children are going through,” he said. “America is their home now, so how can they just pack up and leave?”

The same way you packed up and left Ireland, that's how! Oh, and if they whine and cry about having to leave, make sure you point the finger of blame squarely where it belongs: On your law breaking self!

“My daughter would happily pay fines to try and change her status. She’s already paying taxes. All she wants is a way to come out of the shadows and live a normal life.”

Sorry, American citizenship is not for sale. Your law-breaking daughter should be sent packing, period! There are too many people patiently waiting in line for legal entry to make any "boo hoo" exceptions.