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Wilkinson backs moves to ease plight of illegal Irish immigrants in US
Waterford Fianna Fáil TD Ollie Wilkinson has backed legislative moves to ease the plight of illegal Irish immigrants in the US in the run-up to St Patrick’s Day.

Deputy Wilkinson said illegal Irish people should be allowed to freely move within the US and back and forward to Ireland in an effort to set them upon the path towards full citizenship.

‘Some 25,000 illegal Irish immigrants risk being thrown out of the US. Many undocumented workers have been living there for decades after they were forced to leave Ireland in the days before our economic prosperity.

‘More of them cannot come home for special family occasions such as weddings and funerals. I know of several families in Waterford whose relatives are essentially trapped in the US because they cannot return there is they leave,’ said Deputy Wilkinson.

He said US officials can deport Irish immigrants who do not have documentation. The McCain-Kennedy Bill, which is currently going through the US Congress, would give them a two-year period of grace which could be extended to four years and six years.

‘During that time, Irish immigrants would be allowed to freely move within the US and back and forward to Ireland. After six years, they could apply for full residency. I believe the Bill is our best hope of easing the plight of illegal Irish immigrants in the US,’ said Deputy Wilkinson.

He said the Irish Government is investing heavily in US agencies both in Britain and in the US to help improve the lives of Irish emigrants.
‘The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern TD, will raise the Irish immigrants issue with the US President, George W Bush, during the St Patrick’s Day celebrations this year. It is vital that we stand full-square behind efforts to support our own people living in the US. They must remain at the centre of our foreign policy,’ said Deputy Wilkinson.