Breakfast and a FReepathon donation.
A great way to start your day.
Click the Pic
Please Support Free Republic
Posted on 07/06/2013 5:39:56 AM PDT by Kaslin
GALWAY, Ireland -- The intense debate over immigration reform in the USA has riveted many in this bucolic area in the west of Ireland. That's because in addition to millions of Hispanic aliens, a significant number of Irish would benefit from immigration clarity. Just ask anyone in the Woodside section of Queens, New York.
The census estimates that there are nearly 35 million Americans of Irish descent living in America, and many of them had ancestors who fled to the United States to save their lives. The vicious Irish famine reached its height in 1847 as hundreds of thousands of starving people boarded so-called "coffin ships" to come to the USA. Many died on those ships -- victims of disease on the long voyage. Their bodies were often thrown overboard into the sea.
In Ireland itself, more than a million people died from hunger and disease during the famine years. The British controlled the country and, incredibly, exported grain to London even as Irish children were dying in the streets. British soldiers actually had to guard the grain stores, killing the Irish who stormed the storage facilities.
Thus, there are still deep wounds in this country of fewer than 5 million. More than a few Irish noticed a visiting American news commentator and asked about the proposed immigration reform. All favored it because of the sensitivity to the suffering of poor people.
The United States today is a far different place from what it was in the mid-19th century, when our vast land needed folks to settle and expand into the west. Then, there was no such thing as an "illegal alien." If you physically made it here, you were an American. Simply showing up entitled you to pursue the dream of prosperity.
But today our country is fragile. The economy is stagnant, and social problems dominate the landscape. Back when my people arrived from Galway, in the 1840s, there was little in the way of social welfare and entitlements. You either earned your way or wound up in the street. America did not support immigrants; it simply gave them a chance.
What has not changed is the humanity of most Americans. People without an agenda realize that most illegal aliens are here to feed their families, not to cause trouble. But we also realize that our federal government has allowed and sometimes encouraged immigration chaos, which has damaged the fabric of the nation. You simply cannot allow more than 10 million people to occupy your territory without any accountability. And that's what has happened.
I told the good people in western Ireland who approached me that I hope a fair but tough immigration bill passes this year -- one that will put an end to the porous southern border and make undocumented aliens earn their citizenship over an extended period of time.
The most powerful nation on earth should be able to pass a fair, effective immigration law that combines compassion with responsibility and does not injure hardworking Americans who are taxed up to here.
We SHOULD be able to do that. It will be shameful if we don't.
Blowhard Bill.
“Their bodies were often thrown overboard into the sea.”
I hear that hungry sharks still patrol those same sea lanes to this very day.
I’m of Irish blood and my attitude toward *them* is the same...apply for residency in the legally established fashion.If you’re approved...outstanding.If you’re not...sorry about that.If you’ve come to this country in violation of any of our laws I say...GET THE HELL OUT!!!!
Not fond of the new Irish illegal aliens. All gigantic libs who HATE America. Since the failure of the Celtic Tiger we are being inundated with them. Plus, they actually blame America for the IRA atrocities.
Earn? And who will decide what is "fairly" earned and what is an "extended period of time"? Chuck Schumer?
They might be partially correct in this thinking.There are a noticeable percentage of "Irish-Americans" who actively support the IRA.They give money..and some even assist in the procurement and delivery of weapons.One of my Dad's brothers,for example...his oldest brother...was a great guy but he *despised* the British.There are others like him here,certainly in Boston and probably in NY,Philly,etc.
He showed videos from the Rio Grande of the Mexican Drug cartel watching. He also showed a video of a terrorist talking about Anthrax coming in through Mexico to the US via tunnels and killing 300,000 Americans in one blow. The terrorist said that would make 9/11 small change
You can watch the video here
Filmmaker: Proposed immigration reform is 'irresponsible'
The part about the terrorist talking about the Anthrax attack starts just before timeline 01:13
Were there other practical options available?
"Yes, your Honor, I broke into the house and stole the silver, but I think I am entitled to some clarity."
The problem for the Irish is that they cannot face up to their own history of atrocities. They blame ALL Americans (not just Irish-Americans) for their troubles. Yes, indeed, stupid Irish-Americans gave lots of money to the IRA over the last 40 years and admire that butcher and mother-murderer, Gerry Adams. I hope they’ve woken up to reality! It’s another reason I’m glad Ted Kennedy is in his grave.
Immigration “clarity” is not ‘legalization’, it is not ‘normalization’, nor is it ‘capitulation’.
Frankly, Mr. O’Reilly, I don’t give a damn about immigration from 160 years ago, 100 years ago, etc. Indeed, most Americans against amnesty will stipulate those times were times when the whole engine of immigration was much, much different.
To cloud the issue and bring up Ireland - wherever - at this point is disingenuous and distracting. The fact is there are many, many, more illegals here than the government will admit. They take much, much more than they give, and their intrinsic cost on social, medical and educational resources is near inestimable.
O’Reilly, go grab a Mexican illegal outside Home Depot and make him prove to you he’s actually paid anything other than sales taxes and rent - maybe a license and registration fee for the hoopty he uses, if that. Ask him how many anchor ninos he has and are in school, soaking up over $10K year in resources to educate and feed them in schools.
For those illegals that have been assisted in getting a real job, they’ve used a fake SSN (SSA knows about it but takes their 7.65% regularly), and they’ve filled out W-4 forms with so many exemptions the take from their check in likely in the penny range. File a tax return? Hardly, unless they’re feeling froggy and gonna go for that big EITC check in the sky.
If these leeches get amnestied and ‘normalized’ as traitor Rubio puts it, the next line they get in after the ‘normalization’ line will be the ‘entitlements’ line. Count on it.
My parents were LEGAL IMMIGRANTS, they presented themselves
to a US Consulate in their home country (Ireland), obtained a entry visa,presented proof of financial viability (or a letter of sponsorship from a US citizen, or a job commitment in other cases), passed a physical examination,
was subjected to a literacy test and paid their own passage to the US.
Where they were once again examined, inspected, documented and finally allowed to follow their own way to find the American dream.
Immigrants to this country are to follow the LAW !
That’s what we expect and it’s what we demand !!
Were there other practical options available?
Irish Stew
I was also a legal immigrant. I immigrated on September 25, 1966 at the age of 26. I became a US citizen on June 12th 1977
“Immigration Clarity” So the illegals and the Obama administration find the law prohibiting illegal immigration “unclear” but the 1500 page Amnesty bill, that they don’t have a problem understanding.
The current law is very clear, and it is clearly being ignored by an administration that sees millions of socialist voters swelling the ranks of the Democrat party.
Yes, but the proposed law clearly does injure hardworking Americans who are taxed up to here - so Bill and Republicans are being either foolish or disingenuous when they support it.
Well, we should just resettle them all in Ireland. Let them absorb the poverty, medical expenses, and crime.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.