Families of illegal Irish in US urged to lobby

Families of Irish illegal immigrants living in the US have been asked to put pressure on lawmakers there. The Irish Voices campaign is supported by the US-based Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR).

Relatives are asked to lodge their own stories of the heartache suffered by illegal immigrants and their families in Ireland with the campaign group.

"I know of one man who has done very well in the US since he went there, who has paid his taxes, but who was unable to come back to Ireland for the funerals of both of his parents," said Fianna Fáil Limerick West TD John Cregan.

Campaign organiser Tom Reddy said he believed it would "reveal the heart-rending personal stories that could help sway legislators so that the Irish undocumented can seek a pass to permanent residency". Last week ILIR's president, Grant Lally, met with Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern during a visit to Dublin.

New US immigration legislation is edging closer to law following the senate's agreement to extend border fences with Mexico, and make some moves towards legalising 11 to 12 million illegal immigrants in the US.

Mr Reddy said: "Time is running out. Within weeks Irish illegals could be free to apply for US citizenship or alternately be criminalised and deported." He asked people to send their personal histories to Irish Voices, 19 Montague Street, or tom@reddycommunications.ie