Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Citizens' US Status.

John Gormley

Ceist:

192 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of persons (details supplied); if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that a person has been in contact with the Irish consulate in San Francisco regarding her status in the USA; the assistance if any, he will offer in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17392/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews):

I am aware of the situation this person finds herself in, through no fault of her own, and sympathise with her in her predicament.

The Consul-General in San Francisco has discussed with her the options that are open to her and has put her in contact with a lawyer competent in immigration law. The only basis on which she could claim the legal status of permanent resident without leaving the US would be that of sponsorship by her mother who also lives in the US and who already has acquired such status. Another option is that the person concerned get her employers to apply for a H1B visa for her as a foreign skilled worker. There would be difficulties with either of these courses but there is no easy solution.

There are many other people who were brought to the US as children and who, now adults, find themselves in illegal situations. It is extremely unlikely that the US authorities, who are constrained by law in what they can do, could accede to a request to give special attention to this case. Since other options are available I do not think it would be appropriate for me to make such a request.