Thread: Illegal immigrants fleeing United States

http://www.leitrimobserver.ie/ViewArtic ... ID=1361892

Illegal immigrants fleeing United States
• Prison sentences proposed for those detected
Hundreds of illegal immigrants from Co Leitrim living in the US are apparently opting to return to Europe in the face of one of the the most restrictive immigration bills ever proposed, according to Senator Paschal Mooney.
Senator Mooney, who has been a central figure in the lobbying of the US Government on behalf of Irish illegals said that anecdotal evidence seems to show that many Irish illegals are already choosing to exit the US rather than await the introduction of the Border Protection, Anti Terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act.

"The evidence seems to be that Irish people, including illegals from Co Leitrim, are choosing to leave America. However it would appear they are not choosing to return home but rather that they are moving to countries like England in search of work," admitted Senator Mooney.

There is approximately 11 million illegal immigrants currently resident in the US. Estimates of the number of Irish illegals vary between 10,000 and 80,000 but there is no denying that the proposed legislation has raised a lot of concerns for the Irish community in America, both legal and illegal.

Well known Irish campaigner, Niall O'Dowd has already started to mobilise the Irish community in response to the proposed Bill with three meetings already held in major US cities to date. A similar lobby group has also formed in the Chicago area and all groups are working towards a National Lobby Day planned for Washington on March 8.

Senator Mooney explained he and other representatives of the Irish Government had already made numerous trips to the US to lobby on behalf of Irish Illegals and yesterday (Tuesday) Sheila Gleeson, Executive Director of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres in the US made a special presentation to the joint committee of Foreign Affairs on the issue.

"This is considered to be the most serious issue ever to affect Irish immigrants in the US and it is difficult to see a positive resolution," admitted Senator Mooney.
Fears have only increased in the last two months after the US House of Representatives approved the Border Protection, Anti Terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act drafted by James Sensenbrenner and Peter King.

If enacted the so called Sensenbrenner-King Bill would have significant consequences for refugees, visitors and illegal residents alike.

Under the proposed Bill illegal immigrants would not merely be subject to deportation on detection, they could also face prison sentences of up to 10 years. Under the Bill the criminal implications of so called "immigrant smuggling" have been extended to include repercussions for anyone who assists an illegal person to remain in the US, this includes family members, employers and friends who may help conceal an illegal immigrant, house them or even help them find employment.

Illegal immigrants could now be faced with a catch-22 situation where by overstaying their visa they are illegal and are therefore subject to criminal prosecution but the resultant criminal record will mean they are no longer eligible to apply for residence.

One of the more unusual propositions put forward by the Sensenbrenner-King Bill is the construction of a wall, estimated at around 2,700 miles long along the southern states to prevent immigrants from illegally crossing into the US from South America.

More worrying for Irish people is the fact that the proposed bill also includes an amendment to end the visa lottery which allocates 50,000 green cards to randomly selected applicants, including a significant number of Irish immigrants.

"So basically there would be no other avenue for an illegal immigrant to be legalised under this bill," noted Senator Mooney.

"I know of a number of cases where people have travelled from Leitrim to the US and have resided there for a number of years illegally. These people have remained there working and re-applying each year for their green card. If the lottery scheme is abolished they will lose whatever chance they had of getting residency unless another alternative is provided for them."

In some states of the US illegal immigrants have been able to pay taxes on their earnings despite not having a green card and the irony is that despite this they may still be deported along with others who have never paid the US Government a cent.

"I know of a number of cases where Leitrim people have not just been living in the US for one or two years, but have spent a large proportion of their lives in the country, marrying and even, in some instances, raising a family. This legislation will cause serious problems for people like this because it doesn't seem to be flexible in its approach to real situations. This is a very tough, very restrictive bill that will certainly have very serious repercussions," said Senator Mooney.

He added that the Bill was not specifically anti-Irish but admitted "it is hostile to the idea of illegal immigrants, regardless of their origin and their circumstances'.

More favourable to the Irish illegals would be the implementation of the so called Kennedy-McCain Immigration Bill. Under this legislation, foreign workers would be allowed to avail of a new temporary visa which would be valid for three years. After this time the proposed visa could be renewed for a subsequent three years at the end of which time the worker could either opt to return home or apply for residency. Under this Bill employers could also sponsor a visa holding worker for permanent status if they employ them for a period of no less than four years.

This Bill will be debated in the Senate at the end of March however, with sentiment still running high in the wake of 9/11 and growing tension in the border states about the influx of illegal immigrants from South America, it is difficult to see how the Kennedy-McCain Bill will fare.

"There is a hope that there will be some compromise reached between the two bills," pointed out Senator Mooney, "certainly from an Irish perspective the Kennedy-McCain Bill is more realistic.

"However, even if the tougher Sensenbrenner-King Bill is passed there is still the question of just how it will be enforced. The cost of enforcing such legislation would be phenomenal and the fact is the Federal Government is already facing the biggest deficit ever recorded.

"We'll just have to see what happens. Our information is that the Senate will be more sympathetic towards illegal immigrants. Obviously with 11 million illegal immigrants the US is facing a serious problem but I think this is a case where tougher laws have to be tempered with a certain degree of realism. Until then I think that more people will be opting to leave the US in favour of other destinations."

22 February 2006

[quote]Illegal immigrants fleeing United States
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Now, this is happy news! Adios, amigos!