Immigration Controls.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004

Wednesday, 24 November 2004

Questions (10)

Dinny McGinley

Question:

10 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the serious impact of new security measures being adopted by the United States concerning travellers to and from that country; the repercussions of these measures for thousands of young Irish persons at present residing in the United States; if he has discussed these difficulties with the United States authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30145/04]

Oral answers (14 contributions)

Mr. Treacy

Since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, there has been a progressive tightening of US immigration controls and procedures. New procedures known as US-VISIT have been introduced for entry to the United States. These procedures, which include the taking of fingerprint scans and digital photographs, are intended to enhance the verification of the identity of visitors to the United States and to ensure the integrity of the US immigration system. Similar procedures are being put in place at points of exit from the United States.

These procedures, which take up relatively little time, are most unlikely to impact on visitors to the US from Ireland. However, as the new procedures serve to better assess compliance with the terms of entry of a visitor to the US, they undoubtedly exert further pressure on the undocumented Irish living there.

The House can be assured that the circumstances of undocumented Irish people in the United States is raised on an ongoing basis in our bilateral contacts with US political leaders, including when the Taoiseach and the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Brian Cowen, met President Bush earlier this year. Various proposals on emigration reform were made by President Bush and members of Congress. These initiatives reflect an awareness of the importance of addressing the situation of the undocumented in a constructive and sympathetic way.

Proposals for reform will have to be considered in detail by the US Congress in the new year. The information and advice the voluntary organisations in the US make available to our community there is of particular relevance at this complex time of change. This year's funding to these organisations from the Department of Foreign Affairs reached €500,000, which represented an increase of 70.5% on last year. We are pleased to have secured a substantial increase in funding for emigrant services in the current Estimates. This will enable us to ensure that these groups receive a further significant increase next year.

Given our contacts with figures in the US Administration and Legislature, the House can be assured that we will support measures that would help to alleviate the situation of undocumented Irish people in the United States.

Mr. McGinley

Is the Minister of State aware of the havoc being caused on both sides of the Atlantic by the introduction of this drastic draconian legislation since 11 September 2001? Deputy Higgins referred to the people who emigrated in the 1950s. I refer to the latest cohort of people to leave in the 1990s. Does the Minister agree that, at a conservative estimate, 50,000 young Irish men and women, our kith and kin, have not been regularised for various reasons? Is he aware that the new regulations cause Irish people to be detained for weeks and months? A constituent of mine who was in the United States on holiday arrived home a few weeks ago after being detained for five weeks and deported. I received a letter from a girl from Arranmore Island who made a cry from the heart. She is in the United States since 2000 and wanted to come home to marry, but she knows if she comes home that she will not be allowed back into the United States.

Does the Minister of State agree that because of the Government's understanding with the United States authorities, he should be able to obtain some concessions from them? What is the position on the legislation promised in January by the US President to provide these people with temporary visas? Does the Minister agree that if we treated US citizens in this country as our citizens are being treated in the United States, we would probably have the marines coming to Shannon and remaining there?

This is a serious matter and I do not think the Government is giving it the priority it deserves. These are our people and they depend on us to do something for them. They left this country because they had to. They are in the United States and they are prisoners in the country of their adoption. The girl from Arranmore said she feels trapped. I want to know what is being done in this regard. When will the temporary visas be introduced so that these people can make a life for themselves in the United States? These people are not a burden on the country. They contribute to the United States because they were not given opportunities in this country. There are approximately 40 million Irish-Americans in the United States, a country with which we have a special relationship. If what is happening in the United States happened in China, we would be outraged. Members of this House and the emigrants want answers.

Mr. Treacy

This is the second occasion today I have answered this question. The figures we have pertaining to undocumented Irish emigrants are very much in touch with the situation. The US Administration reckons there are approximately 3,000 undocumented Irish people in the country.

Mr. McGinley

The number is 25,000 to 50,000.

Mr. Treacy

No, that is not the figure. The Irish organisations estimate that the figure is in the region of 9,000 to 10,000. I am in touch with the situation because I know people in the same situation to which Deputy McGinley referred. The Taoiseach has taken up the matter with President Bush and the then Minister, Deputy Cowen, did so heretofore. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has had discussions with officials in the American Embassy. I met the ambassador on three occasions about the situation.

Mr. McGinley

Nothing happened. People are in prison and being deported after all the meetings. We want action and results.

Mr. Treacy

Our missions dealt with three cases in recent months. People were held for between two and six weeks in three instances.

Mr. M. Higgins

That is scandalous.

Mr. Treacy

It is a serious situation. In regard to the new regulations, we find they are not having a major impact on anyone travelling to and from the United States. They do not impede their mobility. It takes approximately one minute to get through the checks and this will not affect people travelling from Ireland or people from the United States visiting this country.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We have run over time. I call Question No. 11.

Mr. Treacy

The undocumented Irish in the United States are a priority for the Government. The new President will take up office on 30 January.

Mr. McGinley

Legislation was promised last January to provide people with temporary visas.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Will the relevant Minister deal with Question No. 11?

Mr. Treacy

We will continue to exert the maximum pressure through our ambassador and diplomatic team on the President and his new Administration, including members of Congress, to make progress on the matter as quickly as possible.