Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s historic address to the US Congress could help the cause of undocumented Irish immigrants in the country, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said today.
Mr Ahern confirmed he will hold talks today in the US to press for a bilateral deal with the US government on the issue.
He will meet senior politicians on Capitol Hill today following up on the positive response to the Taoiseach’s address to the joint houses of Congress yesterday.
Campaigners have appealed for a deal to protect the status of the estimated 30,000 undocumented Irish immigrants who have made new lives in the US.
Minister Ahern said: “Later today, I will be meeting with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and with leaders on Capitol Hill.
“Essentially my task will be to find out how soon can we pick up the pieces from the efforts made at Congress to bring in comprehensive legislation which would remedy the situation.”
Yesterday the Taoiseach used his Washington speech to make a case for undocumented Irish immigrants.
He drew comparisons with how the successful Irish economy had drawn migrants to Ireland‘s own shores.
“The New Ireland - once a place so many left - is now a place to which so many come,” the Taoiseach said.
“These newcomers to our society have enriched the texture of our land and of our lives. We are working, as are you, to welcome those who contribute to our society as they lift up their own lives, while we also address the inevitable implications for our society, our culture, our community and our way of life.
“So we are profoundly aware of those challenges as we ask you to consider the case of our undocumented Irish immigrant community in the United States today.
“We hope you will be able to find a solution to their plight that would enable them to regularise their status and open to them a path to permanent residency.”
Today Dermot Ahern said the Taoiseach‘s speech could aid efforts to broker a deal.
“The fact the Taoiseach highlighted the issue during his speech and the response from those present has assisted in placing the undocumented Irish firmly back on the Congress agenda,” he said.
He added: “We are doing work on the ground here which will allow us, through our contacts with Congress, the Administration and the Irish lobby group, to act if and when we get a political signal that the proposed bilateral deal we have been discussing might be successful.”
PA