Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
877. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts taking place between Ireland and the US administration in terms of regulating the status of the undocumented Irish; and his views on whether the recent election of President Biden offers an enhanced opportunity to advance the cause of the thousands of Irish citizens who find themselves in such circumstances. [20221/21]
View answerThe issue of Irish immigration to the US has been a high priority for successive Governments and continues to be one of my key priorities. Immigration issues have been raised on an ongoing basis in our engagement with US Administrations and political leaders, including last month by the Taoiseach with President Biden as part of his virtual St. Patrick's Day engagements in the US. These engagements will continue as we maintain close relations with Members of Congress and contacts from across the political spectrum, and as we seek opportunities to deepen and strengthen our bilateral relations with the Administration of President Joe Biden.
We are pleased to see that immigration issues, including possible pathways to citizenship, are a priority for the new US President, as demonstrated by the proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021. We look forward to working with the new Administration, as well as with the new US Congress, across the aisle, to pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the US. We will actively engage with the Administration and Congress on this, including through our Embassy in Washington DC.
Our Embassy in Washington D.C., as well as the Consulates across the US, also work closely with Irish Immigration Centres, which support the needs of Irish citizens. The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers receives significant annual funding through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme. Furthermore, in response to the pandemic, a dedicated COVID-19 Response Fund for Irish Communities Abroad was set up to help these organisations meet the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable. In 2020, over €4.25m was paid to diaspora organisations in the US for ESP and Covid related projects.
We also continue to pursue the E3 Visa Bill, which, if passed, could allow access to thousands of US visas each year to Irish citizens, providing new opportunities to live and work in the US. The Taoiseach also discussed the issue of the E3 visa bill, and of creating pathways to citizenship, with the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi as part of his St. Patrick’s Day engagements. Our Embassy in Washington D.C. continues its extensive outreach in support of the Bill, working with a range of Members of the US House of Representatives and the Senate. Now that the new Administration and new Congress are in place, we will seek the reintroduction of the Bill at the earliest opportunity.
