Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is expected to press the case of Irish illegals living in the US when he meets with US senators on Capitol Hill today.
Mr Ahern said yesterday he would put the case for the illegal Irish "very forcefully" to both President Bush and members of Congress.
He will meet with senators who are trying to ensure that reforms of US immigration law will allow some 25,000-50,000 Irish currently living illegally there to have the prospect of regularising their situation and continuing to make their lives there.
He met the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform at the Irish Ambassador's residence before the traditional St Patrick's week reception last night.
Today Mr Ahern will meet senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy, whose immigration bill would allow the Irish remain in the US and ultimately have the possibility of gaining residency.