Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there have been any recent discussions with the United States authorities in relation to immigration reform, with particular reference to the need to regularise the status of the undocumented Irish. [37118/23]
View answerAddressing the difficult situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US continues to be a key priority for the Government.
Immigration matters are raised on a regular and ongoing basis with U.S. political representatives. The Government actively supports the Biden administration’s efforts to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. While comprehensive reform would be the optimal solution for undocumented Irish citizens, I do not underestimate the obstacles to achieving this given the political sensitivities of immigration issues in the United States, including in Congress.
During my visit to Washington last February, I raised the question of access to visas with politicians on both sides of the aisle, and the Government has also raised this issue directly with President Biden in recent months.
In March, I raised the issue of the undocumented with Congressman Richie Neal. Representative Neal is co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, and has been a steadfast advocate for the undocumented Irish over many years. During that visit, I also spent time with organisations in New York and Boston that are actively supporting the Irish diaspora. My Department provided over €4.2 million in Emigrant Support Programme Funding this year to organisations that provide ongoing, valuable assistance to our citizens, including the undocumented, in the United States.
Minister of State Seán Fleming also met with organisations in receipt of Emigrant Support Funding during his visit to the United States last month, where he was able to see first-hand the very real and practical assistance that they provide to Irish immigrants, including the undocumented.
In addition to this support and to our engagement at the Federal level through our Embassy in DC, our eight Consulates General in the U.S. proactively seek opportunities to improve the day-to-day lives of the Irish undocumented., including by working with local state legislatures.
An example of this is in Massachusetts, where legislation enabling residents to apply for drivers' licences, irrespective of their immigration status, came into effect earlier this month. The Consulate General of Ireland in Boston led a sustained campaign in support of this reform for many years, and I strongly welcome the passage of this law, which will make a modest but appreciable difference in lives of undocumented Irish citizens in Massachusetts. I discussed this legislation with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey during her recent visit to Dublin at the end of June.
