Cavan td raises issue of undocumented irish in us again

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil T.D Brendan Smith has once again sought to highlight the ongoing plight of undocumented Irish people living in the United States.

The party spokesperson for Foreign Affairs tabled a number of Parliamentary Questions again in the Dáil in relation to the difficulties facing undocumented Irish emigrants, asking the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charles Flanagan if he had held discussions with authorities across the Atlantic in relation to the implementation of a waiver visa programme

The local Deputy also tabled a further question asking the Minister the up to date position regarding the proposed Immigration Reform Bill.

Minister Flanagan in his replies to Deputy Smith stated that

achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US remains a priority for the Irish government in its contact with Washington. They also continue to work closely on this agenda with high level Government contacts, and many other individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond.

“The aim of these contacts is to achieve relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and to improve channels for legal migration between Ireland and America.”

The Minister acknowledged that measures announced last November by President Obama, which could benefit thousands of undocumented Irish immigrants based in the US, “were very welcome”.

But he said: “I am conscious that these administrative measures remain under legal challenge in US Federal Courts and that in any case legislation in Congress is still needed to build on what has been promised in President Obama’s announcement. For that reason, the Government and our Embassy continue to avail of all contacts with the Administration and with Republican and Democratic political leaders to make the case for comprehensive immigration reform legislation.”