Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Diaspora, Seán Crowe TD, who has just returned from Capitol Hill in Washington, has stated that the potential for realistic immigration reform legislation, that would facilitate the majority of the ‘undocumented’ Irish citizens, is real and possible if the political will that exists is encouraged and nurtured.

The Dublin South West TD said that ‘a window of opportunity may open up between November and December that could lead to a series of Bills that will deal with the issue and that we are now facing a historic opportunity for immigration reform being passed in the New Year.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“This is a very historic opportunity for immigration reform in the United States and while there have been very high profile problems affecting the US Congress, the potential of this trip has also greatly encouraged us.

“It was important and a key component of the visit that we were able to meet senior and key Republican Congress women and men, and to explain to them the real and serious problems that a lack of immigration reform is causing the 50,000 plus Irish citizens and their families.

“It is also critical that the Irish Government, Irish politicians, and Irish-American civil society groups continue to build up the pressure and momentum that has been placed behind this immigration reform process and that we continue to lobby key Republicans on this issue.

“In my view and that of the delegation, which was made up of Sinn Fein, Labour, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members, a window of opportunity may open up between November and December that could lead to a series of Bills that will deal with this issue. So we are facing a historic opportunity for immigration reform being passed in the New Year and that could transform the lives of an estimated 11 million people currently illegal in the United States.

“Collectively we argued for a legalization process that would allow the undocumented stay in the US and a new visa process that would allow a new legal path for Irish citizens seeking and looking for work in the United States.”

ENDS