Man threatens hunger strike in bid to return to US
Jimmy Murphy, from Newcastle West, Co Limerick, was turned back by US Immigration at Shannon on January 6 after a brief visit home with his US-born wife, Rachele Olson.
The couple travelled to Ireland from Sioux city during December.
Unfortunately, Jimmy — regarded as having ‘adjustment status’ in the US — did not complete the necessary paperwork through lack of awareness.
His position in the US is the first stop in getting legal permanent residency, which can open up full citizenship.
US residents in his position are required to fill out certain forms before leaving the country and it could take him 15 months to rectify the situation he finds himself in.
Up to last December, everything was going great for the couple.
Rachele works as a human resources manager with a major transport company.
Jimmy was working on a casino boat on the Mississippi river by day and studying law enforcement at night in Western Iowa Technical College.
He had been accepted into the Woodbury County Sheriff’s department as a reserve policeman and had won a commendation for his work in the force.
A US senator and congressman have now taken up his cause in Washington and up to 4,000 students at the technical college have signed a petition calling for him to be allowed back.
Mr Murphy said yesterday he needs to be with his wife.
At his family home in Newcastle West, he said: “I am going to give it two more weeks and unless I get results I will go on hunger strike outside Government buildings in Dublin and chain myself to the gates.
“I will go back in a coffin if I can’t get back to be with my wife. My wife is finding it very tough on her own having to pay a mortgage on one income. My livelihood is also at risk. Even though I put up stamps over the years I worked here before going to the US, the Department of Social Welfare say I cannot draw any allowance.”
His wife, who is three months’ pregnant, was recently rushed to hospital and Mr Murphy said this was caused by the strain of their separation.
“It is inhuman what they are doing to us. I am still living out of a suit case with my family in Newcastle West. I cannot live like a married man with a child on the way. I am being treated like a tin can or a piece of rubbish on the side of the street.”
