Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Diaspora, Seán Crowe TD, has urged Irish-Americans to ask their Congressperson to vote in favor of S.744, the Immigration Reform Bill that was recently passed in the U.S. Senate. The Bill will be coming before the House of Representatives shortly.

Crowe made the comments after attending a briefing on the Immigration Reform Bill, which included a conference call with Ciarán Staunton of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.

Deputy Crowe said:

“At today’s meeting we had all party attendance and a commitment by all to redouble our efforts in the coming weeks.

“Elected representatives in the Oireachtas support the efforts of US Senators and Congresspersons to secure immigration reform that will create a pathway of citizenship for Irish citizens currently undocumented in the US.

“Irish-Americans support immigration reform in the United States. It is important that members of the House of Representatives know this, and consider the positive impact this Immigration Reform Bill will have on the nearly 50,000 undocumented Irish living in the United States today.

“Immigration reform in the United States has never been closer than at this moment. It is absolutely critical that Irish-Americans make their voices heard over the next few weeks as this bill is debated.

“The immigration reform debate taking place in the United States today should be conducted in a cross-party, non-political atmosphere. Immigration reform is an issue that hits close to home for Ireland and her citizens, and its realization is something we all strive towards.

“I urge all Irish and Irish-Americans alike to reach out to their political, social, and cultural contacts in the United States. Through a unified, concerted effort, there is no doubt that we can play an important role in advancing meaningful immigration reform in the United States—even small contributions can have a major impact.”

ENDS