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02/08/2006
Member of Parliament discusses immigration
By Dan Russo , STAFF WRITER

Irish government official Seamus Brennan presents Irish center with $25,000.
UPPER DARBY - Immigration law and wellness was on the mind of a member of Ireland's Parliament when he visited the township recently.

Speaking at the Irish Immigration and Pastoral Center on Cedar Lane Wednesday, Seamus Brennan was surrounded by several dozen members of the local Irish community and their children.

"I know you're concerned about the undocumented Irish issue," said Brennan. "We understand the trauma and the difficulties you're having. We're in a slightly different position than from the flood of immigration generally."

Brennan, a member of the Pimna Fail party, serves as the Irish government's minister for social, community and family affairs.

He presented immigration center director Thomas Conaghan with $25,000 which will go toward a new family wellness program at the center.

The facility is one of several centers across the country which offers assistance to Irish and other immigrants living in the U.S.

Brennan was joined by David Healy, vice consul at the Irish embassy in New York. Both spoke about their government's efforts to support an immigration proposal sponsored by U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.).

"The Kennedy-McCain bill has a pathway to legal residence and work," said Healy.

He estimated there are between 10 million and 11 million immigrants in the U.S. which are currently illegal. Brennan said about 30,000 of those are believe to be undocumented Irish.

"Ireland is doing well. You've made your contribution to that," Brennan told the crowd. "Hopefully, Ireland can repay you. We're almost there. We think something's going to happen in terms of immigration reform."

Many in attendance knew first hand about the immigration process.

"Most undocumented Irish are hardworking, pay taxes, and help the community," said Katrina Stafford, a Newtown Square resident who emigrated from Ireland about 10 years ago.

Many also spoke to the minister about family issues.

"My husband's from Ireland," said S. O'Neill of Drexel Hill. "[The center] helps us with the paperwork for my husband and the green card process."

During the visit, which was Brennan's first to the area, he also visited a memorial to Irish immigrants in Philadelphia, and a forum on immigration legislation was scheduled for Friday.