Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
149. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made with the new US Administration to improve the situation of undocumented emigrants in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33917/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of Irish immigration to the US has been a high priority for successive Governments and continues to be one of my key priorities. In particular, this includes addressing the situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the US and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people who wish to live and work in the US. We have continued to raise these matters in our engagement with successive US Administrations, Members of US Congress and leaders from across the political spectrum. The Taoiseach raised the matter in March this year directly with President Biden during his St. Patrick's Day virtual visit.
Our Embassy in Washington D.C., as well as our Consulates across the US, work closely with Irish Immigration Centres, which support the needs of Irish citizens. The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres 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-19 related projects.
I am glad to see that immigration issues, including possible pathways to citizenship, are a priority for the President as demonstrated by his proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021. We will actively engage with the Administration and Congress, as they pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the US, including through our Embassy in Washington DC. 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 and we will seek the reintroduction of the Bill to Congress at the earliest opportunity.
