http://www.irishexaminer.com/pport/web/ ... 2fa91M.asp

29/03/06
US bill gives new hope to Irish emigrants

By Harry McGee and Suzanne Gamboa
THE passage of an immigration bill through a US Senate Committee hearing may lead to status for illegal Irish emigrants in America, the Government said yesterday.

Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern welcomed the successful passage of an immigration reform bill through the US Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday that includes key elements of the Kennedy/McCain bill.

The new bill will allow undocumented immigrants in the US to regularise their status, with a route to permanent residency.

Mr Ahern said this meant that the undocumented would receive work and travel authorisation. This would allow them to travel to and from the US without fear of being refused re-entry.

The precise number of illegal Irish living in the US is not known. Estimates vary from the US Government's official figure of 5,000 to the 50,000 estimated by groups who campaign for the undocumented. Huge turnouts at recent rallies indicate the figure is closer to the second estimate.

The Irish Government's own estimate is between 25,000 to 30,000. Since 9/11 many have refused to return home amid fears that they will be refused entry under a tougher immigration and security regime.

"It's a big day for us. We may not have a lot of big days, but this is a big day," said Frank Sharry, executive director of the pro-immigrant US National Immigration Forum.

Comments by US President George Bush in recent days suggest the White House is receptive to a balanced approach to accommodate those already in the US. He wants "guest workers" to remained for a specific period in specific jobs.

"It's a humane way to deal with people who are making a contribution to our economy," Mr Bush said.

However, there have been divided views on the issue, particularly among Republicans. The version of the bill which passed through the House of Representatives last December contained much harsher measures including criminal penalties for immigrants. Both versions will now have to be reconciled under the US rules of government.

The Senate committee wants to legalise illegal immigrants and ultimately to grant them citizenship. They must have jobs, clean criminal records, and pay fines and back taxes.

Having passed the judiciary committee, the debate on the new immigration bill will move to the full Senate.

For his part, President Bush said he was determined to see some provision made on behalf of illegal immigrants who have been working in this country.

President Bush is insisting that Congress send him a bill that not only strengthens US borders, but also allows foreigners to have a guest permit that lets them work temporarily in the US.

Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist said the Senate will begin a debate on immigration later this week with the aim of passing a bill by April 7. Senator John McCain, an architect of the bill approved by the Judiciary Committee, said the huge turnouts - including a huge Irish rally in Washington - helped galvanise support for the bill.

In general, the Judiciary Committee's bill is designed to strengthen enforcement of US borders, regulate the flow into the country of guest workers and determine the legal future of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally.

The Judiciary Committee also approved a five-year plan to provide visas for about 1.5 million agriculture workers and allow them to eventually seek legal residency.

Recent polls show that about six in 10 Americans oppose letting illegal immigrants remain in the country and apply for citizenship and three of every four don't believe the government is doing enough to stem the continuing tide of new arrivals.