Thousands of undocumented Irish and their supporters demonstrated in Washington last week in support of an immigration reform Bill, sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain, that would allow them to remain and work in the United States and eventually qualify for permanent residency.
On Friday, when he visits the White House on St Patrick's Day to meet President Bush, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, will place immigration reform and the treatment of undocumented Irish at the top of his political agenda.
Life has become increasingly difficult for an estimated 25,000 Irish immigrants because of new security provisions in the aftermath of 9/11 and passage of the Real ID Act. Because of their status, such people cannot renew driving licences needed for work or secure health insurance. They cannot risk returning home for fear of being denied re-entry to the US. While many of them have set up their own businesses and become dynamic members of their adopted society, they live in fear of being arrested and deported as illegal aliens.
The Irish are a small but important part of the illegal immigrant problem in the US. Because we were favoured by a series of concessions, including the granting of Morrison visas, the number involved is minuscule compared to an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants overall - two-thirds of them Latinos. In approaching this politically sensitive and divisive issue during a Congressional election year however, Irish influence could prove to be significant in moderating the more extreme anti-immigrant proposals.
Last year, Government ministers, Fine Gael politicians and representatives of the Irish Catholic Bishops lobbied prominent US senators, members of Congress and administration officials on the need for a sensitive and generous response. The Dáil made an all-party appeal to President Bush to support the provisions of the Kennedy/McCain Bill. In spite of such representations, however, Mr Bush appears to favour a more limited approach, involving a temporary guest worker programme aimed primarily at Latinos. Republicans recently introduced a guest worker Bill to the Senate that would permit people to work for six years in the United States, after which they would be required to return home. But if the millions of undocumented immigrants who have been working hard and contributing to the wealth of US society over many years are to be treated fairly and equitably, they should not have to face expulsion. It is a consideration that is also relevant in this State.