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US congressmen have
been urged to help undocumented Donegal people get
permanent residency in the States.
The nine congressmen had a working lunch with
Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern, at
which Deputy Cecilia Keaveney was present.
”We clearly pressed for measures that would enable
the undocumented Irish in the US to regularise their
status and have open to them a path to permanent
residency,” she explained following the meeting.
“The message delivered by the Irish government was
loud and clear and was well received.”
Deputy Keaveney said she spoke directly to
Congressman Richard Neal.
“I’m confident that a positive message of support
will be going back to the US following our lunch.
“Many of the congressmen present have Irish roots
and were very well versed on the issue. They did
take the opportunity to outline the difficulties
that exist with the influx of other nationalities
that are forming a source of ‘cheap’ labour in the
US that is threatening the local labour forces.
“However, both Republicans and Democrats present
want a solution found to the problem faced by the
Irish there,” she said.
Deputy Keaveney said the problem remained “an
emotional issue” for many Donegal families.
“Their children, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles
cannot return home for important family occasions
such as weddings and even funerals. It can be a
source of great distress and longing.
“The bipartisan immigration bill introduced in the
US House of Representatives by Representatives Luis
Gutierrez and Jeff Blake has led to significant
advances in the debate.
“I will continue to work closely with our own
Minister for Foreign Affairs as this debate
continues in the House,” she added.
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