Ahern: 'The fight goes on' for immigration reform in US

The Government today pledged to fight for the rights of undocumented Irish in the United States after the rejection of a major new immigration bill.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said he was disappointed new legislation to provide legal status to thousands of Irish had failed to be ratified by the US Senate.

The ground-breaking immigration bill was expected to finally deal with the 12 million people living illegally in the United States, but the legislation was dramatically stalled last night after last minute disagreements.

This followed a number of amendments which undermined the fragile compromise negotiated by the White House and Senators.

“There is no doubt but last night’s vote in the US Senate on immigration reform was a disappointment,” Mr Ahern said.

“We hoped that it would succeed and permit the legislative proposals to advance to the next stage.

“The fight goes on, however, and I believe the cause of immigration reform in the US will ultimately bear fruit.

“We have had setbacks in the past and may well have more in the future but there is increasing goodwill at Capitol Hill towards reform.

“I can assure all undocumented Irish in the United States that this government will continue to battle hard to achieve residency status.

“The campaign to secure reform must go on,” he added.

The Immigration Bill, which has the backing of the White House, was drafted by a bipartisan group of senators.

A move to limit the debate and move it to its final passage last night in the Senate fell 15 votes short of the 60 needed.

Under the proposed bill illegal immigrants who entered the US before January 1, 2007 could seek a renewable “Z visa” after paying a $5,000 (€3,746) fine.

They could then be placed on the path to permanent residency.

The Bill also set out a points system which placed more emphasis on immigrants’ education, language and job skills than family connections when issuing green cards.

But it was agreed these measures would not happen until around 18,000 new border guards were deployed, the border with Mexico reinforced and high-tech surveillance put in place.

The Bill faces tough opposition from both Democrats and Republicans, with conservatives condemning what they see as an amnesty for illegal immigrants.

The most controversial element was the proposal to introduce a two-year guest-worker visa that could have been renewed only twice.

Mr Ahern added he would be in close contact with members of the US Congress and the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR), which provides a voice for the undocumented Irish in the US.

“ILIR have ensured that the Irish dimension to this issue is understood in the US and I have been happy to support them in this,” he said.

“The Government will remain actively involved in representing the concerns of the undocumented Irish and will continue to take every opportunity to convey to US political leaders the urgent need to address this issue.”