the exile's plight...

dominating the front pages of the irish papers here in the us and indeed those of many other publications directed at the respective groups of immigrants who reside in this country is of course the debate about immigration reform that is currently banging around the halls of the senate. there approximately 12 million undocumented, illegal, out-of-status, whatever you want to call them, people living and working in the states today. 40,000 of which are said to be irish born.

a bill proposed by senator's john mc cain and ted kennedy brings new hope to the irish who have all but lost faith in ever becoming legal in america. simple things taken for granted by many of us have been systematically made impossible for the undocumented in the years following september 11 2001 - driver's licenses, medical insurance and the biggest problem of all, travelling home to ireland and getting back into the states again.

the irish lobby for immigration reform is currently working hard to promote and educate people about the irish exile's plight in america...a successful and hugely well attended rally in washington d.c. was just one of many such events organised to highlight the lissue.

please take the time to read more about this ongoing issue.

westchester business journal: shadow workers

cnn: mc cain report the irish voice

cnn: immigration debate high stakes at the polls

the irish echo: senate surprise