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Donegal people in US like "escaped felons" 17.12.07

MORE THAN 5,000 Donegal people are living like "escaped felons" in America because of their undocumented status, a local T.D., has said.
Deputy Joe McHugh said thousands still cannot spend Christmas with their loved ones at home because if they leave the States, they will not be allowed to return.
Deputy Joe McHugh. "If the Fianna Fáil Government cared enough, they would use this opportunity to bargain with the Americans but once again they have failed the families of those in America," said Deputy McHugh.
He referred to recent reports indicating that the Irish and US Governments are close to a deal allowing America to use Shannon as a customs and security clearance facility.
"But despite high level contact between the Governments, Fianna Fáil refused to bring up the undocumented Irish.
“Once again the Irish Government is going to make a deal with the Americans over
Shannon and the issue of the 50,000 undocumented Irish in America has not been brought to the table.
"This subject was debated in the Dáil last month and we were assured that the Government would make every effort to help those in America, but this is clearly not the case," added Deputy McHugh.
“Life as an illegal citizen is deteriorating by the week, with reports of hundreds of deportations each month. Many cannot risk coming home, even for their parents’ funerals, because they will be caught and deported," he added.
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