Dáil urged to back new US immigration laws

The Government will seek official Dáil backing today for US laws to legalise the status of undocumented Irish immigrants.

A new Bill drawn up by Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator John McCain will allow illegals to apply for temporary visas if they have no criminal backgrounds and if they pay a small fine.

Foreign affairs minister Dermot Ahern will today table an all-party Dail motion to express concern at the the plight of thousands of illegal Irish people who cannot return home to see relatives in case they get barred from re-entering the US.

Mr Ahern, who has ministerial responsibility for the welfare of emigrants, believes up to 25,000 Irish are among the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living and working in the US.

Up to two hours will be allowed for the Dail to debate the motion this morning.

The motion recognises that undocumented Irish “are unable to return to Ireland for visits and that this imposes significant hardship on their families, including elderly parents in many cases“.

It also notes the valuable contribution Irish illegals make to the “economic and social life of the United States“.

Under the Kennedy/McCain Bill, immigrants who get accepted for temporary visas can apply for permanent residency after six years.

After another five years, they and their families can then seek full citizenship under the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act which was tabled in the US Senate and House of Representatives in May.

Since the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, tighter security has meant that Irish emigrants risk being barred from the US any time they return home to Ireland for family illness or bereavement.