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Irish immigration group will meet tonight
By ERNIE GARCIA
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original Publication: January 27, 2006)


YONKERS — The illegal-immigration debate often summons images of Latin Americans, but the issue affects a wide range of people.

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform will hold a community forum tonight in Yonkers to discuss how immigration reform would affect the estimated 40,000 illegal Irish immigrants in the United States.

"We have to create a process whereby the undocumented who are already here can earn a change of status and a path to permanent residency," wrote the Irish Lobby's Executive Director Kelly Fincham in an e-mail interview.

On McLean Avenue last week opinions were mixed.

"I think you should send them back home because they're taking American jobs," said Mike Curtin, 43, a construction worker.

Patrick O'Niell, 31, a sanitation worker, said, "If they come here to work and become Americans, there is no problem."