Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018
181. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the progress regarding the undocumented Irish in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43311/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to PQ40303 on this issue earlier this month. Then, as now, the Government continues to pursue two key objectives with regard to Irish immigration to the United States; firstly, increased pathways for legal migration by Irish citizens to the US; and secondly, seeking some form of relief for undocumented Irish citizens living in the US.
The Taoiseach discussed the issue with President Trump in the Oval Office last March and also in his meetings on Capitol Hill during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day visit. I have also prioritised this issue in my own engagements with the US Administration and Congress, and discussed it most recently with Congressman Richie Neal last week in Dublin.
The Government’s Special Envoy to the United States Congress on the Undocumented, Deputy John Deasy, has also been active on the issue and has, since his appointment, travelled to Washington, D.C., on ten separate occasions for meetings with key contacts.
In addition, our Embassy in Washington, D.C., continues to engage on an ongoing basis with the Administration and with a wide range of contacts on Capitol Hill.
Through these many high-level contacts and discussions, the Government continues to explore a number of different options. This remains a very challenging issue, however. Immigration reform has been a sensitive and divisive issue within the US political system for decades, with pronounced disagreement, even within the same political parties, on the best way to deal with an issue which directly affects over 11 million people, from many different countries of origin.
On the welfare of the undocumented Irish, the Embassy, as well as our six Consulates across the United States, work closely with Irish Immigration Centers, which support the needs of Irish citizens in the United States, including those who are undocumented. These Centers all receive annual funding from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme to support their important work.
I can assure the Deputy that both the Taoiseach and I, together with our Government colleagues, Special Envoy Deputy Deasy, and our Embassy in Washington, D.C., will continue to give full priority to these issues.
