Hammer blow for the undocumented Irish

As Barack Obama’s reforms are blocked by a judge in Texas, it looks like the years of uncertainty for Irish immigrants in the United States will continue, writes Brian Killoran

THE latest obstacle to President Barack Obama’s immigration reforms in the form of a block by a US federal judge in Texas will be met by dismay by the Irish undocumented in America and their loved ones here at home.

For them years of uncertainty look set to continue for now. Living in fear of a knock on the door and cut off from family on this side of the Atlantic — unable to return for celebrations or to offer condolences and support during times of bereavement — remains the reality.

It is worth noting that Irish campaigners in the United States remain hopeful the decision of the Texas court will be overturned on appeal and the Immigrant Council of Ireland wishes them every success in their continuing endeavours.

The court decision will also ensure that the need for reform will dominate meetings in the White House and on Capitol Hill as our political leaders make their annual St Patrick’s Day pilgrimage to Washington DC, New York, Boston, San Francisco, and other great cities where many of those in power share Irish surnames.

It is a just cause and one which deserves to be supported.

Unfortunately, the plight of the undocumented in the US will sound all too familiar to thousands of people living in limbo in our communities.

For more than a decade successive governments have failed to match the priority they have placed on US reforms with addressing the need for reforming our own immigration system which is overly bureaucratic, dogged by a lack of clear rules and guidelines, and has no independent appeals mechanism.

In light of this it is perhaps no surprise that the frontline services of the Immigrant Council are as busy now as when they were established 13 years ago.

During the past 12 months our helplines have answered 5,126 calls for help in addition to an Independent Law Centre to represent 60 migrants and their families.

Behind each case is a person or a family who calls Ireland home, they have made a commitment to this country and are seeking support so as they can be joined by loved ones or get access to the workplace.

Family rights, working entitlements and, despite recent advances, access to citizenship remain the most pressing issues to which our information officers and lawyers must respond.

Each story is just as compelling and heartbreaking as those of our own citizens looking to be regularised in the US.

Like those organisations supporting the Irish in the US we are committed to a client-first approach, conscious that the actions we take can and do make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families — and in many cases we do enjoy success.

However, we are also committed to using our case-work and experience to bring about wider reforms.

We would like to see the introduction of a modern, efficient and transparent immigration system as is fitting for a modern democracy.

Such a system must include clear rules and guidelines which will benefit both clients and those who must ultimately make the decisions on applications.

Currently anyone who wishes to appeal an immigration decision often has no route to follow apart from risking bankruptcy by taking high court action. We want an independent appeals mechanism and for users of the system to enjoy the protections of the Office of the Ombudsman which is currently denied to them.

Successive governments have promised to act on these issues — even to the point of publishing bills but we still have not seen the wide-scale reform which is needed.

The failure to act on those commitments did see a return of long queues at the Garda National Immigration Bureau on Dublin’s Burgh Quay and a return to scenes which were commonplace over 10 years ago.

People were forced to stand outside from 4am to ensure they would be seen the same day. Staff were left trying to maintain services in an office through which the equivalent of the population of Cork City is channelled each year.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald TD has acted to relieve the situation with Saturday openings and the promise of an online appointments system. Both initiatives are welcome but do not deal with the more substantive issues.

Securing these reforms will be a priority for us during the upcoming general election and we look forward to engaging with politicians from all sides.

Our work too continues to focus on vulnerable groups of migrants. As one of the 72 organisations which form the Turn Off the Red Light campaign, we have welcomed the Government’s plans to introduce laws targeting demand for prostitution and human trafficking.

The measure is set to be included in the new Sexual Offences Bill due for publication by Minister Fitzgerald before the summer — and we hope the political agreement which the measure received at the Oireachtas Justice Committee will continue in the Dáil and Seanad.

Racism also remains a priority with a 51% increase in reports during 2014. We will continue work in this area building on our strong existing partnership with the gardaí, public transport providers, local authorities and many more.

As I take up the post of chief executive of the Immigrant Council I am conscious that the need for our services is as great now as it has ever been.

As the minds of our political leaders re-focus on the legitimate case for supporting the Irish undocumented across the United States I would strongly urge them also look again at our own failings and commit to ensuring that no one should ever live in limbo fearing a late night knock on the door.

• Brian Killoran will take up the post as chief executive of the Immigrant Council on Sunday, March 1