Menu
05/01/2010
Undocumented Irish In US Emerge
A major effort is underway in the US to secure immigration reform and give undocumented Irish immigrants citizenship in the US.
Senator Charles Schumer of New York is leading the effort in the senate to create new legislation to swing at least five key Republican senators behind the immigration reform proposals.
Tens of thousands of Irish undocumented anxiously await the latest efforts this year to bring about reform. The last effort to create a bill, called the Kennedy/McCain immigration bill failed when Republicans refused to support it.
Fine Gael Community Affairs Spokesman Michael Ring today said he was encouraged by the latest push. He said the prospect of a reform package including plans to legalise the status of undocumented immigrants holds out new hope for the thousands of Irish people in this position.
"It is very encouraging to have this glimmer of hope for the undocumented Irish so early in the New Year. Senator Schumer is a proven political operator who has been charged with the task of bringing a group of Republican senators on side in support of immigration reform.
"Among them is Senator John McCain who, along with the late Ted Kennedy, was responsible for the last attempt at a reform bill and it is to be hoped he will be supportive again on this occasion. Schumer must also swing the support of at least four other Republican senators and I wish him well in his efforts.
"Suggestions that this issue may come to the fore soon after President Obama's Health Care Reform Bill is passed are welcome.
"The undocumented Irish and their families here at home have waited a long time for some progress to secure their status so they can lead a normal life while living, working and rearing their families in the States. I hope that these encouraging signs point to a real breakthrough at last."
The new Bill, which Senator Schumer and aides to President Obama are working on, is expected to contain strong enforcement measures in addition to the plan to legalize those living in the US illegally.
President Obama has given a commitment to take up the issue soon after his health care reform bill passes.
(DW/BMcC)
Senator Charles Schumer of New York is leading the effort in the senate to create new legislation to swing at least five key Republican senators behind the immigration reform proposals.
Tens of thousands of Irish undocumented anxiously await the latest efforts this year to bring about reform. The last effort to create a bill, called the Kennedy/McCain immigration bill failed when Republicans refused to support it.
Fine Gael Community Affairs Spokesman Michael Ring today said he was encouraged by the latest push. He said the prospect of a reform package including plans to legalise the status of undocumented immigrants holds out new hope for the thousands of Irish people in this position.
"It is very encouraging to have this glimmer of hope for the undocumented Irish so early in the New Year. Senator Schumer is a proven political operator who has been charged with the task of bringing a group of Republican senators on side in support of immigration reform.
"Among them is Senator John McCain who, along with the late Ted Kennedy, was responsible for the last attempt at a reform bill and it is to be hoped he will be supportive again on this occasion. Schumer must also swing the support of at least four other Republican senators and I wish him well in his efforts.
"Suggestions that this issue may come to the fore soon after President Obama's Health Care Reform Bill is passed are welcome.
"The undocumented Irish and their families here at home have waited a long time for some progress to secure their status so they can lead a normal life while living, working and rearing their families in the States. I hope that these encouraging signs point to a real breakthrough at last."
The new Bill, which Senator Schumer and aides to President Obama are working on, is expected to contain strong enforcement measures in addition to the plan to legalize those living in the US illegally.
President Obama has given a commitment to take up the issue soon after his health care reform bill passes.
(DW/BMcC)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 September 2012
Irish Penal Reform Trust Call For Sentencing Reform
The situation where the Minister for Justice decides the duration of a prison sentence for those sentenced to a life term needs to be addressed, according to the Irish Penal Reform Trust.
Irish Penal Reform Trust Call For Sentencing Reform
The situation where the Minister for Justice decides the duration of a prison sentence for those sentenced to a life term needs to be addressed, according to the Irish Penal Reform Trust.
11 April 2014
Dáil To Debate Land And Conveyancing Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013
The proposed Land and Conveyancing Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013 is to be debated at the Dáil. If enacted the Bill would substantially enhance legal protections for pressurised mortgage holders and make it harder for the banks to repossess homes.
Dáil To Debate Land And Conveyancing Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013
The proposed Land and Conveyancing Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013 is to be debated at the Dáil. If enacted the Bill would substantially enhance legal protections for pressurised mortgage holders and make it harder for the banks to repossess homes.
04 January 2012
Govt Criticised Over Juvenile Centre 'Failure'
The shelving of a plan to build a new juvenile detention centre has been called a 'failure' by a Penal Trust. Plans to build the new detention centre for teenage boys at Oberstown, Lusk, Co Dublin, were shelved due to a lack of funding, according to Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter this week.
Govt Criticised Over Juvenile Centre 'Failure'
The shelving of a plan to build a new juvenile detention centre has been called a 'failure' by a Penal Trust. Plans to build the new detention centre for teenage boys at Oberstown, Lusk, Co Dublin, were shelved due to a lack of funding, according to Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter this week.
18 June 2014
Tánaiste To Discuss Undocumented Irish
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore is beginning two days of meetings in Washington D.C. to highlight the plight of over 50,000 undocumented Irish people currently living in the U.S.
Tánaiste To Discuss Undocumented Irish
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore is beginning two days of meetings in Washington D.C. to highlight the plight of over 50,000 undocumented Irish people currently living in the U.S.
19 November 2014
LRC Launch Public Paper On Law Reforms And The Internet
The Law Reform Commission (LRC) has launched a paper on how the law should be adapted to deal with online privacy and the issue of cyberbullying. The LRC said that while the internet has brought many benefits, it has also produced "more sinister side-effects" and that laws have not kept pace with new challenges presented by the web.
LRC Launch Public Paper On Law Reforms And The Internet
The Law Reform Commission (LRC) has launched a paper on how the law should be adapted to deal with online privacy and the issue of cyberbullying. The LRC said that while the internet has brought many benefits, it has also produced "more sinister side-effects" and that laws have not kept pace with new challenges presented by the web.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
