US immigration reform
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Monday, May 28th, 2007The Justice for Immigrants campaign, a coalition of Catholic groups in the US, is urging continued action on comprehensive immigration reform. In their latest action alert, they are urging US residents to contact their senators with the following message:
I support an immigration reform bill which 1) has a workable and realistic path to permanent residence for the undocumented; 2) creates a meaningful path to citizenship for those in the temporary worker program; and 3) preserves family unity in the U.S. immigration system.
I ask you to support changes to the legislation which would:
- Preserve family reunification as the cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system by maintaining categories for certain family members;
- Create a meaningful “bridge” to permanent status for temporary workers by giving them access to permanent residency visas (“green” cards);
- Remove the requirement that immigrants eligible under the “Z” visa legalization program must return to their country of origin to apply for permanent residency;
- Permit immediate relatives (spouses and minor children) to join the “Z” visa holder in the United States upon eligibility;
- Establish deadlines not dependent on “triggers” by when the temporary worker program and the permanent residency portion of the “Z” visa program must be implemented.
Justice for Immigrants is asking for its members to take this action from May 25 to June 2, when Senators are in their district offices.
The group has not taken a stance on the current bill making its way through the Senate but say they are working to ensure that the most humane solution possible is achieved.
Visit Justiceforimmigrants.org.
First round of senate debate on immigration reform ends
Monday, May 28th, 2007The US Senate bill for comprehensive immigration reform survived the first round of debate last week. Debate will resume next week.
According to Sheila Gleeson of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, several amendments were defeated on Thursday night. These included:
- The Coleman amendment, which would have allowed local government officials to inquire about immigration status, was defeated 48-49.
- The Dorgan amendment, which would have removed the guest worker programme from the bill, was also defeated 48-49.
- The Sanders amendment, which increased fees for H-1B visas to $5,000, was passed 59-35.
- The Vitter amendment, which would have prevented legalisation for the undocumented by eliminating the proposed Z visa programme, was defeated 29-66.
US Senate makes deal on undocumented
Friday, May 18th, 2007Irish immigration advocates in the US have welcomed the agreement hammered out yesterday by Democratic and Republican senators, which would provide a channel for the 12 million undocumented immigrants to achieve legal status.
The proposals would allow for the vast majority of today’s undocumented to register, pay a fine of €5,000, and undergo security screenings; in return, they will get work authorisation, travel permission, and protection from deportation.
On the negative side, the bill includes a “touchback” provision, that would require undocumented immigrants to make a costly trip back to their home country to apply for adjustment. In addition, the deal will create a large number of workers with only temporary visas, which could lead to increasing numbers of undocumented in the future.
Perhaps the most dramatic change is the institution of a points system and the elimination of family ties as the foundation of immigration.
Sheila Gleeson of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers calls the deal “a major step forward”, and says that Senators Kennedy, Menendez, Feinstein, and Salazar are to be commended for getting this compromise hammered out”.
The bill will be debated in the Senate next week; once the Senate process is completed, the House of Representatives will take on the issue.
Boston Globe articles highlight changing migration patterns
Tuesday, March 20th, 2007The Boston Globe has run a two-part series of articles focusing on the experiences of the Irish in Boston. By Kevin Cullen, the series opens with a description of a new version of the “American Wake” – a goodbye held in Quincy pub for an undocumented couple as they prepare to head home for Ireland, giving up their Boston lives after seven years. The article describes how the Irish immigrant experience has changed dramatically as the community shrinks and enforcement increases.
The second article in the series describes the experiences of those who have conm home, and how returning emigrants are coping with the changes that have taken place in the last few years.
Read the series:
“Wave of Irish immigration to Boston begins to slow“.
“Going full circle: Native land’s new prosperity has many reversing their exodus”
Éan chair visits Washington
Thursday, March 8th, 2007Fr Alan Hilliard, Director of the Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants (IECE) and the chair of Éan’s board, attended yesterday’s rally in Washington DC. The rally brought Irish immigrants living in the US together to lobby politicians for comprehensive immigration reform.
“Today’s rally is an example of people taking responsibility for their own futures, and while this has not been easy, it is both necessary and commendable”, he said.
He spoke of plans for information provision that would be necessary in the future:
“One flaw of the immigration reform of the 1980s was a lack of clear communication of rights and this was coupled with the propagation of misinformation. Partly – perhaps due to living on the fringes of society – many were uncertain, nervous and were consequently afraid to come forward. Many immigrants did not fully understand what was available to them. However, on this occasion we will provide information to those in need so that they can make informed decisions. What must be avoided are ‘enticements’ and other so called ‘quick-fix’ solutions which will be advertised by some unscrupulous people whose motive is profit and whose style is to prey on the vulnerable. We are presently upgrading our Irish Apostolate website to enable browsers to access the legislative changes, if and when they happen, as they become available online.””Yesterday, members of our Apostolate met with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network to discuss the implementation of whatever legislation is put in place. Despite the uncertainty, we have to live with the expectation that legislative change will happen and, please God, a pathway of hope will open up.”
See more of Fr Hilliard’s comments on the Independent Catholic News website.
ILIR sponsors DC rally, lobbying
Thursday, March 8th, 2007Thousands of people marched on Washington yesterday in support of legislation that would benefit the undocumented Irish in the US, along with their 11 million counterparts of all nationalities. The ILIR gathered 2,500 supporters, mainly Irish undocumented from all over the US, to lobby members of Congress on Capital Hill and attend a rally. Democratic Senators Hilary Clinton, Edward Kennedy, and Chuck Schumer were among those who addressed the crowds.
Senator Kennedy, along with Republican Senator John McCain, will introduce legislation that includes a path to legalisation to benefit most of the nation’s undocumented immigrants. He told the rally, “This is basically an issue of defining our humanity, how we treat each other. I can’t wait for this battle”.
The Irish Echo has reported that the introduction of the bill may coincide with next week’s St Patrick’s Day activities. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will visit Washington next week for the annual shamrock presentation to the US president; Mr Ahern will also be lobbying on behalf of Irish immigrants.
For more information, see the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform website.
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