Posted on 08/03/2017 5:29:58 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
There are concerns that new US immigration laws will make it more difficult for undocumented Irish to secure visas.
TDs and senators who have been campaigning on behalf of the undocumented Irish in America are worried by new restrictions announced by US President Donald Trump.
While Mr Trump has consistently campaigned against illegal immigration and has pledged to build a wall on the border with Mexico, he has now moved to restrict the number of legal immigrants.
The bill would cut legal immigration by half in the next 10 years and introduce a points-based system prioritising those who speak English, who are well educated, and who can financially support themselves and their families.
Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith said a clampdown on legal migrants does not bode well for those already in the US looking to gain legal status.
Mr Smith, who chairs the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee, said: “We understand that there are up to 50,000 undocumented Irish who want to have their status recognised. That situation will be even more difficult if President Trump introduces further restrictions around immigration.”
Mr Smith said he and other politicians are continuously contacted by the families of those living in the US who are unable to travel home for celebrations, weddings, or funerals.
He pointed out that Barack Obama, Mr Trump’s predecessor who had wanted to progress the rights of the undocumented, had failed during his term and campaigners are now fighting an uphill battle.
Labour senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said: “I think we should be worried about this, not just what it means for the Irish but what it means for every nationality in the States.
“We should be particularly concerned about the culture of fear it is causing. People have been left a little bit more uneasy and scared.
“You don’t know whether this has been genuinely thought through or if it’s just a distraction from other issues that he is having. It’s always a question you have to ask with this administration.”
Mr Ó Ríordáin said he had recently travelled to the US and met with a number of undocumented Irish. “There is now a huge element of fear and of retreating into the shadows.”
He aid the legislation would not impact Irish as much as other non-English speaking nationals, but added it was a worrying development overall.
Backing the legislation, which was introduced by two Republican senators, Mr Trump said: “This competitive application process will favour applicants who can speak English, financially support themselves and their families, and demonstrate skills that will contribute to our economy.
“They’re not going to come in and just immediately collect welfare.”
Mr Trump said the new law would help US workers by reducing the number of low-paid, foreign workers and would raise wages.
Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly said: “The atmosphere in the US does not appear conducive to getting rights for the undocumented.”
I fully agree. Let's recognize their illegal status and expel them.
If they want to be American, let them marry an American.
The right pigs are screaming.
Irish, Polish, Russian are going to be impacted. Trump’s policy is not directed at Mexicans but Illegals of all stripes, shapes and colors.
ALL illegal aliens need to leave or be removed and the rule of law restored.
Deport the Leprechauns
Erin Go Home.
Get rid of them all. Irish. messycan. ragheads. gypsies. Purge this once great nation of all invaders.
Here now, be dat as it may, if yer arse is here illegally yer still here illegally! An’ me people came from The Old Sod at a time when dere was no such fecking ting as an Immigration And Naturalization tingy, fer the love of Mary.
This is all so silly, the new policy was clearly earmarked for legal immigrants so anyone here illegally will have to wait until the illegal policies are provided.
the illegal and criminal policy has been provided and Mr Sessions will deport you shortly.
The legals already in country under the old policy are grandfathered.
Again, post does not apply to the new proposed law. Which BTW has not become law yet.
The Irish are great people, who assimilate right away into American culture. We need more of ‘em. Let ‘em in!
FIRST, Check the Kennedy clan’s immigration status.
Why would a nation of 330M+ people NEED anybody?
Maybe that's but one reason why MA, including Boston's very liberal pols reign supreme.
How many of the estimated 50,000 Irish and their families are getting any government subsidies?
‘Whale Oil Beef Hooked!’ ;)
There can’t be that many Irish illegals here.
Ever met one? Didn’t think so.
“My family has had nothing but trouble with immigrants ever since we came to this country!”
~ Major Charles Emerson Winchester (M*A*S*H*)
Seamus Garcia and María Guadalup Ó Néill are not amused.
That is funny!!!
Keyword...ILLEGAL!
LOL! Upset because when trump says he wants to enforce our immigration laws, he means across the board and not just Mexicans and terrorists..
FAKE NEWS! Irish/Scot/Wales all speak English. Most don’t even take their original language as a secondary any more.
Issue is they are step children of the Brits way to many are use to socialism, just like the Canadians are.
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.