US Senator tells Irish: Come and emigrate to America

An American Senator has issued an open invite to Irish citizens to emigrate to the United States.

Democrat Cory Booker said that his party want to change their immigration laws to make it easier for Irish people to live there.

Senator Booker, who is from New Jersey, is a close ally of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Newstalk reporter Shona Murray interviewed him on Clinton's election campaign bus.

"I think we need more Irish immigration, so I'd like to send a message out to folks in Ireland," he said.

"You've a great country, but if you want to come to the United States, we love the Irish here.

"[New] Jersey has a lot of Irish blood. So I don't need to insult your nation, it's probably a beautiful, wonderful place, but come to America, guys.

"Emigrate here. We're going to change the immigration laws, make them rational.

"It's what makes America great, we need to return to that tradition as opposed to what we have right now."