A FERMANAGH priest based in America, has thrown his tuppence in over a proposed change in immigration law in America that could offer a ‘way out’ for many ‘illegal’ immigrants living in the country.
It’s thought that a large contingent of Fermanagh-born live illegally in the county, and the bill could affect many of these people. Efforts have been made recently to have the Immigration Reform Bill passed into legislation, which would offer a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US, if they arrived illegally before 31 December 2011.
Fr Sean McManus, originally from Kinawley, who moved to America, legally, in 1972 urged: “Please God, the bill will become law.”
He acknowledged that young people can be ‘footloose and fancy free’.
“However,” he said, “the more they put down roots, get married and have children, the more their undocumented existence becomes difficult.”
He added: “Furthermore, they can never go home for important events in Fermanagh – weddings, funerals, or the next time Fermanagh is in the All Ireland. Because you see, that is the time they are caught, when attempting to re-enter the USA.”
He also acknowledged how, as illegals, people can be exploited by ‘unscrupulous employers’.
And, Fermanagh District Councillor, Bernice Swift, also welcomed the news.
She said: “Having lobbied with many families for years on the issue to ‘legalise the Irish’, I am very satisfied that the new, long-awaited Immigration Bill includes two very important provisions for the Irish community, very importantly it will put the undocumented Irish on a path to legalisation which will overcome all the extremely major issues for our emigrants, and Schumer Visas will allow for 10,500 renewable E-3 visas annually for people from the island of Ireland.
Cllr Swift added: “Many families will be absolutely delighted and I share in their happiness, at long last the active campaining has provided a great result.”
Great news for our ex-pats in the US
“Of course there’s a fear,” admitted a male unnamed illegal immigrant from Fermanagh living in America this week.
“Things have worked out well for me as of late but in meeting fellow Irish travellers, I soon came to realise that it’s not all cosmopolitan. The scare of losing a loved one, new borns, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries are all to common for people who leave their home in Ireland.”
The man moved to America within the last year. Within a month of arriving he had moved into a three bedroom apartment, obtained an American bank account, and had bills to pay.
“I’m currently living in an Irish area and there’s a great buzz over the last coming weeks with the US Senate passing an estimated 11m undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship,” he continued, referring to new immigration laws that could come into effect in the US.
“Personally the new law won’t affect me as I don’t meet the requirements but I can sense the excitement from others who have felt trapped for up to ten or 15 years, I can only imagine the relief some will feel if granted legit citizenship.”
He also acknowledged a large proportion of Fermanagh ex-pats living illegally in the States.
“It’s inevitable that the visa question will arise with most conversing from home – in saying that, I’ve come to realise that its not only Fermanagh ones that overstay their 3 month holiday/J1 visas,” he said.
“This will always be the case in the US, regardless of the new bill.”
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