Deal paves way for illegal Irish to get US residency
The US Senate has agreed a compromise deal that could lead to permanent residency for tens of thousands of illegal Irish immigrants.
Under the deal on immigration reform, any undocumented workers who have been living in the US for five years or more will be allowed to apply for a green card provided they pay a $2,000 (€1,639) fine and all outstanding taxes that they owe.
Illegal immigrants living in the US for between two and five years will also be allowed to apply for legal status, but they must first leave the country and make their application before returning.
The compromise bill still has to pass a vote in the Senate and be reconciled with a bill already passed by the House of Representatives.
However, it has already been welcomed by Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern, who described it as "a very positive step in the right direction".
The Irish Government has been lobbying US politicians for months to support measures that would allow the estimated 50,000 Irish people living illegally in the country to regularise their status.
Many of these people have put down roots in the States, but risked being banned from returning if they ever visited family in Ireland.
