Blow for 50,000 US Irish as bill defeated
14 votes see off immigration bill

By Patricia McDonagh
Friday June 29 2007

However, Irish immigrant lobby groups have said the fight will continue to allow them to live legally in the country they now regard as home.

The crucial closure vote, which decides whether or not the Senate would limit debate on the bill, was defeated by just 14 votes, with 46 voting in favour.

The bill needed a total of 60 votes or a three-fifths majority to clear the way for a further ballot.

If passed the legislation would have benefited up to 12 million illegal immigrants living in the US, including up to 50,000 Irish citizens.

Z-Visa

The bill promised to create a new Z-Visa, allowing those currently living in the US illegally to work upon payment of a €5,000 fine and background checks.

The visa would have allowed illegal immigrants to eventually apply for a Green Card. It would have also created a guest worker programme, allowing Irish people to spend a short time in the country before returning to Ireland.

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) said last night's decision is devastating for Ireland's undocumented Irish who cannot travel home for fear they will not be allowed reentry on their return to the US.

However they said that the battle would continue and that they would be pursuing other means of trying to legalise their community.

"Comprehensive reform is dead in this Senate," said ILIR president, Niall O'Dowd.

"So many people live here undocumented, here was a chance to legislate and it wasn't taken. People are very, very upset.

Opposition

"There was opposition from both sides. It was supposed to go down the centre. But it just didn't work.

"That's the way it is. What you do is you pick yourself up and you go to plan B, and that's what we are going to do."

According to O'Dowd, one option may be an E3 Visa scheme which has already by used to allow 10,000 Australian immigrants into the US.

The scheme allows immigrants to stay in a country one year at a time. It does not fall under the Green Card category.

"We are certainly going to talk about that as one of our options," said O'Dowd. "We are not pursuing the government per se, but that is definitely an option."

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern TD last night expressed his disappointment at the result. However he joined O'Dowd in expressing his determination in securing a fair deal for the undocumented Irish. and their families.

"The Government is fully committed to responding to the concerns of the undocumented Irish and will continue to take every opportunity to convey to US political leaders the urgent need to address this major issue, which impacts directly on many families in Ireland," he said.

"This setback will not diminish our determination to secure the fair deal for the undocumented Irish and their families."

- Patricia McDonagh

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/no ... 90919.html