04/11/2008

Swathes Of Irish Deported From American Soil

Despite recent pressures from the Irish Government on America's politicians, increasing numbers of Irish citizens are being sent home from the United States.

A total of 27 Irish people were reportedly deported this year alone from New York, with less than half of this figure deported the previous year.

The figures come despite the former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern speaking directly about the issue at an historic address to the joint houses of the American congress, and the recent announcement of a new visa scheme for Irish citizens.

The trend however reflects an increase in deportations across the US with figures from US immigration and customs enforcement showing a dramatic rise in deportations since 2001.

Niall O'Dowd, Chairman of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, called for urgent reform of US immigration policy.

He said: "I see a very different emphasis by Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Foreign Minister Micheál Martin on this issue."

They were "fully committed to resolving it", he added.

(DW)

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