The issue of illegal immigrants has become a controversial topic in the United States in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001, and the increasing security consciousness of society there.
The importance of the issue, from an Irish point of view, was reflected by this week's all-party Dáil appeal to President George Bush in support of the Kennedy/McCain Bill which is before the US Senate. For up to 50,000 Irish immigrants may be living in fear of a knock on the door and of forced repatriation, following years of residency in the US.
In spite of a variety of concessions made to illegal Irish immigrants over the years, including the Morrison visa and other measures, a large number of undocumented Irish workers still live and prosper in the US. The precise number involved is unclear, but unofficial estimates range from 5,000 to 50,000, with Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern putting the figure at about 25,000. That represents a lot of pressurised people, especially when families and relationships are taken into account.
The introduction of new security laws has made it increasingly difficult for such people to remain undetected. And while the vast majority of illegal immigrants are of Hispanic origin - an estimate of 10 million has been given - there are significant concerns about the situation within the Irish-American community. It is almost impossible for illegals to secure driving licences, which they may need for work. They can no longer visit families and relatives back home. And their jobs and businesses would be forfeit if they were discovered and repatriated.
President Bush has shown concern. And he has promised to create a class of legal "guest worker", with mainly Hispanic people in mind. At the same time, Senators Kennedy and McCain have introduced legislation that would allow workers to regularise their status by applying for temporary residency visas. Under the Bill, they would be able to receive work and travel authorisations; qualify for health insurance and greater protection in the workplace and eventually become eligible for permanent residency.
Fine Gael has been particularly active in promoting the interests of these people, as has the Irish Bishops' Commission for Immigrants. However, in spite of the goodwill expressed by President Bush and the activities of Senators Kennedy and McCain, there is concern that reforming legislation may not receive sufficient support within the House of Representatives. Emphasising the needs and concerns of Irish illegal immigrants in the US could help in that respect.
In the special Dáil debate the Minister for Foreign Affairs observed that while sufficient jobs were now being created for our people at home, we should never forget the trauma of the past nor the plight of those who are in difficulty abroad. Indeed. In these changed circumstances, the Government should promote the wellbeing and employment conditions of foreign workers in this State as actively as it represents our immigrants abroad.