IRISH CAMPAIGNERS for immigration reform in the US say they hope to soon see progress on a visa Bill which, if passed, would allow up to 10,000 Irish nationals annually to work in the US for two years.
This month members of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) met at the White House with representatives from President Barack Obama’s domestic policy council, the state department and the department of homeland security to discuss support for the E3 visa Bill which was introduced in the Senate by New York senator Charles Schumer last December.
The campaigners are seeking a statement of support for the Bill from the White House given that the Obama administration supported a recent Bill that would allow other ethnic groups, including Chinese, Indians and Hispanics, to obtain extra green cards.
The E3 Bill currently has the support of just over 50 senators but still lacks endorsement from Republicans.
Campaigners including the ILIR are calling on members of the Irish community to ask Republican senators for support.
“The meeting at the White House was very positive and encouraging,” said Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform president Ciaran Staunton.
“We’re hoping to see movement on this within the next week.”
Mr Staunton said he had discussed the latest developments with Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the weekend.
Under the Bill, those obtaining an E3 visa would be able to enter the US legally to work for two years on a non-immigrant visa. The two-year visa could be extended indefinitely.
The White House meeting also featured discussions on the issue of visa waivers should the Bill, or a version of it, become law.
The proposed legislation would allow for undocumented people to apply for the visas.
However, they would require a waiver in order to be exempt from a three or 10-year ban from the US which all undocumented people face when they leave the country and attempt to re-enter.