Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore welcomes US Immigration legislation as 'good news' for Irish in America

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The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has welcomed the publication today of a draft bill for reform of the US immigration system, which includes provisions that could affect the thousands of undocumented Irish living illegally in America.

Eamon Gilmore described the much-anticipated bipartisan proposal as 'good news', which could 'help to end the great hardship and uncertainty faced by undocumented Irish in the US and their families here in Ireland.'

The draft bill, if passed, could see thousands of Irish who are in the US illegally granted full legal residency – but only after the Government takes steps to keep unauthorised workers from getting jobs in the country.

The 'Group of Eight' senators who drafted the proposed legislation say that 'high risk border sectors', ie those with at least 30,000 illegal crossings a year, must be sealed off before undocumented immigrants could start their journey to residency.

If these steps are taken, undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States before 31 December 2011 will be eligible for legal residency once they pay US$500 for having come to the country illegally as well as any back taxes.

The bill also contains details of the proposed E3 Visa scheme, which would allow up to 10,500 Irish people per year to work in the US for up to two years.

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Full statement from Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore:

This Bill is a very positive development which, if adopted, would help to end the great hardship and uncertainty faced by undocumented Irish in the US and their families here in Ireland.

The inclusion of a new provision to allow several thousand Irish citizens to legally avail of employment opportunities in the US every year is also particularly welcome. 

Both of these issues have been a key focus of my ongoing engagement  with political leaders in the US, particularly during my visit to Washington D.C. over St. Patrick’s Day when I discussed them with Secretary of State John Kerry and several other members of Congress.  

I am conscious that the overall issues involved are complex and sensitive ones within the US political system and that much further debate is likely to be required before the final shape of any overall legislation becomes clear.

I would like at this stage to express on behalf of the Government our deepest appreciation to the bi-partisan group of US Senators who have spearheaded this historic initiative.  The Government will continue to liaise closely with them and other key stakeholders in Congress and throughout the Irish-American community.

This draft Senate Bill is another significant step towards an ultimate outcome that has been long-sought by generations of Irish migrants to the US and their families.'

Categories: Irish, US, Immigration, Reform, Visa