Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

USA UNDOCUMENTED IRISH ISSUE "EFFORTS MUST CONTINUE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT" Local Councillor attends New York St Patrick's Day celebrations

Published: 21 March, 2009

Newry and Mourne Sinn Féin Councillor Pat mc Ginn who has just returned from St Patrick's Day celebrations in New York has stated that the plea from the undocumented Irish immigrants living in the United States was that efforts must continue to reach an agreement to regularise the status of the undocumented. The Councillor who stated that many people from the Newry and Armagh areas are caught in the situation that exists. "So many of the undocumented Irish have lived in the US for many years, they like previous generations of Irish emigrants have worked hard there to raise their families and they make an important contribution to the economic and social life of their communities. However they live in constant fear and uncertainty" said the Sinn Féin elected representative, who stated that at all the discussions he had engaged in whilst in New York in relation to the issue, he had heard of stories from those who were suffering greatly from the pain of not being able to travel to and from Ireland because of the difficulties of re-entry. "That is the harsh reality for the thousands of undocumented Irish living in America" said Pat who continued "Whilst it can be argued that with the downturn in the American economy and the growing unemployment the issue of the Irish undocumented is not a priority, we here in Ireland in particular must continued to make it a priority and highlight the concerns we have with the American Administration". The Councillor who met up with many involved in leading the lobby for the undocumented in America including Ciaran Staunton of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform stated that an event at the New York Irish Centre in Queens Martin McGuinness whilst speaking of the importance of Irish Americas support for the peace process resolved to continue to work closely with Irish America to resolve the issue of the undocumented. The Sinn Féin Councillor concluded by stating "The issue of the undocumented Irish living in the United States is an issue for all. It affects people and families from both sides of the divide here in the north