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Undocumented Irish in the USA

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022

Thursday, 24 March 2022

Ceisteanna (98, 148)

John Brady

Ceist:

98. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions being taken by the Government to help deal with the many thousands of undocumented in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15348/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

148. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the ongoing work to resolve the plight of the undocumented Irish in America; if he will consider the appointment of a Government representative to deal with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15450/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 148 together.

The Government continues to prioritise immigration issues in our relationship with the United States. This includes working towards secure legal pathways for Irish people to live and work in the US, as well as addressing the situation of the undocumented Irish.

Immigration matters are raised by senior members of the Government at every opportunity, and was a key issue raised during our St. Patrick’s Day engagements across the US, not least at the bilateral exchange between the Taoiseach and President Biden last week. These high level engagements will continue as we maintain close relations with Members of Congress and contacts from across the political spectrum in the US, and as we seek opportunities to deepen and strengthen our bilateral relations with President Biden's Administration.

I am pleased to see that immigration issues, including possible pathways to citizenship, are a priority for President Biden, as demonstrated by his proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021. The Government is actively working with his Administration, as well as with the US Congress, on a bipartisan basis, as they pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the US.

Our Embassy in Washington, D.C., as the representative office of the Government in the United States, pro-actively seeks out and creates opportunities to meet regularly with both Members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate across the political spectrum in the US. We are actively engaging with the Administration and Congress on finding innovative solutions and immigration pathways to address the challenges faced by the undocumented Irish in the US.

My Department, through Ireland's Embassy in Washington DC and our seven Consulate Generals across the US, also works closely with Irish immigration centres that provide support and information to our citizens, including the undocumented. Many of these groups, including the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres, receive significant annual funding through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme.

In response to the pandemic, a dedicated COVID-19 Response Fund for Irish communities abroad was also set up in 2020 to help these organisations meet the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable, including the undocumented Irish in the US. In 2021, over €4.22m was paid to diaspora organisations in the US for ESP and Covid-19 related projects and support.

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