THE NUMBER of illegal Irish immigrants in the United States has been estimated at more than 25,000 and Taoiseach Brian Cowen had comforting words for them on his current visit to New York.
Their situation would, he said, be a priority for him in the months and years ahead. Such a commitment may not amount to much while President Bush remains in office. But public reassurance is important for these vulnerable Irish citizens who are far from home and who don't know when, or if, they will be deported. The fact that they represent a tiny proportion of the undocumented workers in the US does not make their situation any less fraught.
New homeland security measures, following 9/11 and passage of the Real ID Act, has made life increasingly difficult for the undocumented Irish. They cannot secure health insurance or the driving licences they need for work. They are fearful of returning home for funerals or other important family events because of the likelihood of detection and automatic exclusion. Efforts to regularise their position collapsed two years ago when immigrant reforms, aimed mainly at 11 million Hispanics, failed to receive approval in Congress. Initially, Senators John McCain and Edward Kennedy had co-sponsored a bill that would allow undocumented people to remain and work in the United States and eventually qualify for residency. A Republican counter-proposal, that would permit such immigrants to work for six years and then return home, led to breakdown. Since then, Senator McCain has modified his position. A new political initiative is not expected for at least a year.
It is proper that Mr Cowen should show concern for the difficulties being encountered by Irish citizens abroad and offer support. It may lead the Government to reassess the terms of legislation at present before the Dáil. The Immigrant, Residence and Protection Bill seeks, among other things, to speed up the repatriation process for illegal immigrants and asylum seekers. All parties in the Dáil have supported the cause of the undocumented Irish in the United States and have suggested that they be accorded considerate treatment. The same values should apply here at home. In the nature of things, illegal immigrants follow available work and, if the economy slows, they go elsewhere. Mr Cowen has offered consolation abroad. He should now consider the situation in his own back yard.