Minister Ahern prioritises efforts to assist undocumented Irish in the US

Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern T.D.

Minister calls for measures to regularise the status of undocumented Irish in the US

Addressing a conference in Dublin Castle this morning to launch a national debate on the Irish Diaspora, Minister Ahern emphasised the Government’s strong support for measures which would enable the undocumented Irish in the US to regularise their status and have open to them a path to permanent residency.

Taking advantage of the presence of a delegation of nine US Congressmen and Congress-women at the conference, the Minister stressed that “a major priority area for the Government is our undocumented community in the United States.” 

He continued: “We are aware that some undocumented Irish people resident in the US are unable to travel home to visit their families, and we understand the difficulty and stress that this causes for them and their families.

“We take every opportunity to convey to US political leaders the urgent need to address the issues involved. 

Referring to the bipartisan immigration bill introduced in the US House of Representatives by Representatives Luis Gutierrez and Jeff Flake last month, the Minister said he “warmly welcomed this significant advance in the debate.  Although the legislative situation is fluid and the final outcome uncertain, the introduction of the bipartisan bill in the House marks a significant advance in the debate.  In the weeks ahead, I will be attaching the highest priority to our efforts on behalf of the undocumented Irish.”

The full text of Minster Ahern’s address to the conference is available on www.dfa.ie