Going to bat for Clare’s undocumented

FINE Gael Clare TD and chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, is set to lead a cross-party delegation to Washington next month to lobby American politicians on key legislation that could assist the undocumented Irish in the US.

“There’s hardly a parish in Clare that isn’t directly or indirectly affected by the plight of illegal Irish immigrants in the US where thousands work or live illegally,” Deputy Breen told The Clare Champion.

He is well-placed to put a word in for Clare on the Washington trip. Deputy Breen said scarcely a week goes by without hearing stories of Clare people being unable to return home for family occasions such as weddings and funerals.

“Their illegal status leaves them under the constant threat of deportation or being refused entry on their return,” he said.

Deputy Breen’s visit to Washington on September 9 is both timely and crucial as a new piece of legislation, the Pro-Immigrations Bill, is due to pass through the House of Representatives.

“I was very pleased to have been asked by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore, to lead the cross-party delegation to Washington in what will be a final push by Irish politicians to lobby our American counterparts on the importance of the immigration reform legislation, which has already passed through the US Senate.

“Our delegation will arrive in Washington at a key time, as the Bill will begin its passage through the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

“The legislation, which was drafted by a cross-party group of Republican and Democrat Senators, will lead to major changes in the US immigration system and will offer the possibility of a more certain future to the 50,000 undocumented Irish,” he said.

Deputy Breen said the passage of the Bill through the US Senate in recent weeks was a very positive development but cautioned that considerable challenges lie ahead if it is to successfully pass through the House of Representatives.

“The Speaker of the House, John Boehner, was one of a number of high-level individuals I met when I travelled to Washington with Enda Kenny earlier this year. My colleagues and I will be stressing the importance of this legislation when we meet with Congress members from both sides of the political spectrum.

“Irish immigrants are making a very valuable contribution to the US economy. But their illegal status leaves them under the constant threat of deportation. Unable to return home, they are reliant on social media to keep in touch with their families. The reality is, the issue of the undocumented Irish is not just a major concern to the Irish Government and the Irish American Community in the US, but to every parish in Ireland,” he warned.

Deputy Breen said this new piece of legislation has given renewed hope to the undocumented living in the US, by creating a path to citizenship, as well as allowing for 10,500 new e3 visas.

“The Irish delegation to Washington will provide us with a crucial opportunity to advance the case of the undocumented Irish on Capitol Hill. Up to this point, a bipartisan approach has been key to the success of the passage of the Bill through the Senate. We must continue with this co-operative approach if we are to be successful in the Republican-controlled congress.

“The delegation will follow up on the Tánaiste’s recent visit to Washington, where he met with key policy makers. This is one last window of opportunity to intensify lobbying and to garner bipartisan support for this extremely important piece of legislation,” he added.

Mr Breen’s visit carries the weight of support of many politicians and community leaders in Clare, who have been vocal on the issue for a long number of years.

Certainly the US has provided a good living for many Irish people but this has been reciprocated in terms of their contributions to the development of the country.

The extent of the relationship between Ireland and the US has never been more evident as this year, with huge numbers of transatlantic visitors here for Gathering and clan events. Clare has done particularly well on this front with figures up at many visitor attractions and an increase in coach tours and bed nights.