US immigration reform

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Justice for Immigrants newsletter

Thursday, December 7th, 2006

The Justice for Immigrants campaign, a Catholic church group advocating US immigration reform, has published its December newsletter. This issue gives an update of the campaign and the effect of the US elections, giving tips for legislative advocacy. The newsletter profiles the National Council of Catholic Women in its “Participating Organisations Showcase”, and highlights the campaign’s work in San Jose, California.

The newsletter also provides details on National Migration Week, which will be held January 7-13, 2007.

Read the newsletter at the Justice for Immigrants website.

Minister for Foreign Affairs meets with ILIR, NY groups

Wednesday, September 27th, 2006

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, has met with representatives from the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) in New York to discuss the campaign on behalf of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States. The minister reiterated the Government’s strong support for the ILIR’s campaign. He added, “The plight of the undocumented gets harder by the day and the ILIR campaign has undoubtedly already had a strong impact in Congress and beyond. The Government will remain actively involved in representing the concerns of the undocumented in the crucial period ahead.â€?

During his visit to New York, Mr Ahern also met with representatives of the following organisations:

• Emerald Isle Immigration Center
• Aisling Center
• Irish Immigration and Pastoral Center, Philadelphia
• New York Irish Center
• Project Irish Outreach
• Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers

The Minister praised the work of the centres, saying, “The services offered by the Irish immigration centers are critical, particularly for the more vulnerable members of our communities here. I welcome the ongoing focus on supporting community networks and the development of services for older Irish people in this country. The work that the centers undertake to respond to the particular difficulties encountered by the undocumented in their communities is also of key importance�.

See the Department of Foreign Affair’s press release.

NY mayor calls for "common sense" in immigration laws

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006

Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York, speaking at Sligo’s City Hall, pledged to fight for legislation that would help undocumented Irish immigrants in the US. “I know that many Irish-born New Yorkers are caught in the trap of our federal immigration policies,” he said. “If we are going to attract the best and the brightest — and Ireland has more than its fair share — we need to inject some common sense into our immigration laws, and I’m doing my best to make that case in Washington.”
The mayor was speaking as part of his trip, postponed from earlier in the month, to dedicate a memorial to the Fighting 69th, the “Irish brigade� of the US Civil War. The memorial includes metal from the World Trade Center.
http://www.nysun.com/article/38427

Fine Gael TD John Perry made a speech at the monument’s unveiling, in which he said: “This monument represents the unbreakable link between all those who emigrated from Ireland to the United States over the past 200 years. It is a link of dedication. It is a link of service to others. It is a link of sacrifice for others. It is a link of friendship between our two nations. And it is a link of hope for a future that is free and possible.�
The entire text of the speech is available at http://www.irishdev.com/NewsArticle.aspx?id=3608

Topics: US Immigration reform, history

ILIR efforts continue

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform is continuing its efforts throughout the Congressional summer recess, says the Irish Voice in New York. The group is hosting weekly local meetings to discuss tactics around the New York Area; volunteers have also been spreading the word through attending Irish festivals. In addition, Irish comedian Des Bishop will feature in fundraisers hosted by the ILIR and by the Aisling Immigration Center. The ILIR is also sponsoring a bus to participate in a cross-cultural rally in Washington DC on September 7. The group has also been attending Congressional hearings on the immigrant issue around the country, and will step up their efforts to pressure Congress on the issue this autumn.

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