Posted on 03/12/2017 1:42:17 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Taoiseach Enda Kenny will seek the legalisation of undocumented Irish citizens living in the United States when he meets US president Donald Trump and vice president Mike Pence later this week as he kicked-off a week-long tour of the United States.
Addressing a dinner hosted by the Friendly Sons of St Patrick on Saturday evening, one of the oldest Irish associations in the United States, Mr Kenny said he would “renew the strong case on behalf of the hard-working, tax-paying Irish people in the United States who for too long now have been living in the shadows, and want nothing more than to continue making their contribution to this great country.”
While conceding immigration reform was a “politically sensitive issue” he said a US immigration system that addressed the needs of the undocumented Irish would be of “huge benefit” to America.
Mr Kenny, who arrived in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, was the guest of honour at the private dinner which was held just outside the city.
He is due to take part in the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Philadelphia today before flying to Boston on Sunday.
In his speech to the 246 year-old association Mr Kenny referenced the centuries-old ties between Ireland and America, recalling the words of president John F Kennedy who spoke of the “emerald thread” that runs between Philadelphia and Ireland when he addressed the association 60 years ago.
Mr Kenny also welcomed the club’s decision to admit women members last year, referencing in particular the society’s move to appoint Ireland’s ambassador to the United States Anne Anderson as the association’s first female member.
“I am very grateful that you did so - her record of service to Ireland is stellar and in honouring our Ambassador you honoured the leadership of all women,” he said.
Mr Kenny also touched on the economic and political challenges facing Ireland during his speech. While there may be “troubled waters ahead” following Britain’s decision to leave the European Union he said, the Taoiseach added he was “confident that we are prepared to withstand the challenges ahead.”
On the issue of Ireland’s economic relationship with the United States, Mr Kenny made no mention of the Trump administration’s imminent tax reform which could hurt US investment into Ireland.
Instead he highlighted the strong economic links between the two countries, noting that US companies employ up to 150,000 people in more than 700 operations in Ireland.
Similarly, he also stressed the role played by Irish companies in the US economy, noting that close to 100,000 Americans are employed by 700 Irish companies working across all 50 states of America.
Mr Kenny is due to meet Mr Trump for the first time on Thursday at a series of events at the White House and Capitol Hill to mark St Patrick’s Day. A number of senior figures in the Trump administration have Irish-American ancestry, including vice president Mike Pence, chief strategist Steve Bannon, White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway and press secretary Sean Spicer.
Mr Kenny’s meeting with Mr Trump will take place on the same day as the US president’s controversial executive order on immigration is due to come into force, halting immigration from six Muslim-majority countries.
Anxiety has been growing within the Irish-American community in the United States since the election of Mr Trump who has pledged to clamp-down on illegal immigration.
Provided they aren’t registered to vote at present (as non-citizens), and they hold some kind of job...I don’t see an issue.
Anyone though who is registered to vote (while an alien) needs to be on the leave-immediately and not come back list.
Sorry, a path to legalization for one group of “undocumenteds” provides the justification for a path for ALL GROUPS. No deal.
Now in response to the 2nd comment “as long as they (non-citizen) are not registered to vote , I see no problem.) I disagree entirely. I’m an American of Irish and Danish decent and was raised in Massachusetts . To me I look upon it like this , either we enforce the law evenly across the board or the law means nothing. If you are here illegally you have to go no “IFS ANDS OR BUTS” Otherwise we spiral back down to being a Nation of men and not laws. Cape Cod is awash with Irish during the summer months who fill jobs that should go to Americans just as every other illegal does. If they are here legally fine....but America first and their can be NO exceptions.
Why are so many countries desperate to unload their citizens on the US?
They want to ship off their people to the US to make room for all the Muslim “refugees.”
Exactly, I hope Trump doesn’t agree to this because not only is it wrong but if he agrees to legalize them, holy cow, the heads of the left will explode. “White people OK dark not OK”
Provided they aren’t registered to vote at present (as non-citizens), and they hold some kind of job...I don’t see an issue.LOL! Pure unbelievable hypocrisy! Hopefully Trump/ICE/DHS is not that stupid.
Nope. Accept these, and you have no way to deny the other illegals without racism accusations.
Exactly, illegals are illegals!! No exceptions. Enforce our laws.
Lie jumpers go to the back of the line. One doesn’t reward them for jumping the queue.
Nope. Deport illegal Irish, deport illegal Germans, deport illegal Russians, deport illegal Canadians, deport illegal Mexicans, deport illegal Hondurans, deport illegal Hondurans, deport illegal Asians, and deport illegal Arabs. Deport illegal Christians, deport illegal Jews, deport illegal Atheists, and deport illegal Muslims. Deport every single illegal in our country. No exceptions. None.
It's not a race/religion thing; it's about the rule of law. We have almost 50% democrats already; we don't need extra criminals.
Uhmmm...No.
I have to be fair and even handed here: KcuF you and go home.
All men are equal under the law and should have their just due delivered without regard to race, nationality, wealth or lack thereof, etc.
We are a society of equal rights, not special rights.
What, both of them?
Unfortunately that would immediately open Trump to charges of racism.
Because that hasn't happened every day since he announced his candidacy.
BTW I agree with the above "deport ALL illegals" sentiment...because it's right...
...not because anything we say or do will make the Left hate us less.
I’m not of Irish descent but Ireland is a great place to visit and the people are wonderful; I’ve traveled a lot and it is about the warmest place I’ve been overseas in their attitudes, offers of help and friendliness toward Americans. The Irish immigrants I’ve come across in the US work hard, don’t complain and don’t seem to be involved in noteworthy crime. Nonetheless, I tend to agree that singling the Irish out for special treatment would open Trump to charges of favoritism, racism and several other “isms” from the quiver of the constant name callers. In addition, Kenny, the PM was very loud and obnoxious in his public pre-election castings of aspersions about Trump - I can’ imagine a US president meddling in the Irish Parliamentary elections but he did in ours.
Bkmk
Bingo.
Is Kenny going to tell President Trump that circumstances in Ireland are so violent and miserable that it would be an inhumane atrocity to expect Irish citizens to return there?
I lived in Boston for 22 years, and the enforcement of immigration laws regarding illegal Haitians as opposed to open non-enforcement regarding illegal Irish was notorious.
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