US: Thousands of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States would become criminals overnight and be barred permanently from entering America, under a bill expected to be approved by the House of Representatives today.
But, even if it is approved today, it is unlikely to become law in its current form. Early next year, the Senate will consider an immigration bill that is likely to include a temporary worker programme. If any immigration reform is to be made law next year, it will probably be a compromise between the tough House proposal and a more moderate Senate plan.
The Border Protection, Anti-terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act would make it a federal crime to live in the US illegally. Now, living in the US without a valid visa or a green card is a violation of civil immigration law but not a criminal offence.
All non-Mexican immigrants discovered living illegally would be detained until they could be deported. Anyone shielding or offering support to illegals could face up to five years in prison. Employers would have to verify that all employees were in the US legally and would face tougher penalties for hiring illegals.
The proposal has already been approved by the House Judiciary Committee and has the backing of the Republican leadership in the House, where it is likely to win majority backing today.
House judiciary committee chairman James Sensenbrenner argues that the bill will "help restore the integrity of our nation's borders and re-establish respect for our laws by holding violators accountable, including human traffickers, employers who hire illegal aliens and alien gang members who terrorise communities".
Immigrants rights groups have described the proposal as an unworkable measure that would criminalise compassion by threatening to imprison those who help vulnerable immigrants.
President George W Bush has called for a comprehensive immigration bill that would improve border security but also offer America's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants the right to work in the US for up to six years.
Another proposal, backed by senators John McCain and Edward Kennedy, would create a temporary worker scheme that could lead to permanent residency. The House bill focuses exclusively on border security and immigration control and does not propose a temporary worker programme.
In New York last week, more than 100 people attended the inaugural meeting of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, which hopes to use the political influence of Irish-America to lobby on behalf of Irish immigrants.
Led by Irish Voice publisher Niall O'Dowd, the group is backing the McCain-Kennedy plan, which also has the support of the Government. The group's formation is the first sign that Irish-Americans are ready to act on behalf of illegal Irish immigrants as they did in the 1990s with the Morrison and Donnelly visas.
Mr O'Dowd described the bill as "disastrous" but said it could encourage Irish-Americans to work hard to ensure it did not become law. "It's just such a crazy bill they're going to get in the House, I think they'll be even more energised after they read the details of it," he said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has identified the position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the US as a priority issue in relations with Washington. The Government estimates that about 25,000 Irish citizens are in the US illegally, although immigrant groups suggest that the number could be twice as high.
Immigration has provoked a major rift between Republicans and their traditional business supporters, who argue that the proposed restrictions will place an intolerable burden on employers and create labour shortages.
Business groups have launched a massive lobbying campaign in the hope of persuading Republicans to reject today's bill but some lobbyists acknowledge that popular feeling on immigration is running high in many states.