TDs in plea over undocumented Irish
A high-powered cross-party delegation will lobby US officials today in support of the 50,000 undocumented Irish.
The all-party Oireachtas committee is making fresh calls to key congressional leaders to broker a deal on immigration reform.
The group of politicians is due take part in a rally in Washington later today, joining members of the Irish Emigration Reform Group for a specially designated Day Of Action.
“There is now a great urgency to bring all possible pressure to bear on the US authorities on behalf of all of the undocumented Irish in the US,” said Paul Connaughton, Fine Gael spokesperson on emigrant affairs.
“While small steps have been made, it needs to be acknowledged that this legislation has still a long way to go. Time is running out for new immigration policies to be introduced in the US.”
The Oireachtas members come from a cross-party group called Friends Of The Undocumented Irish In The US.
They plan to lobby as many US politicians as possible to get them to understand the tragic consequences for thousands of Irish families who are separated because of current immigration policies.
“Our efforts will endure until the plight of all undocumented Irish people in the US is resolved,” added Fianna Fáil’s John Cregan.
“Their freedom to move in and out of the country must be secured. Their quality of life and individual liberties are paramount.”
