Conway hopeful of US deal for undocumented Irish

Fine Gael Clare Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Martin Conway, has welcomed the news that President Obama plans to unveil sweeping changes to US immigration enforcement that will protect up to five million illegal immigrants including many county Clare natives who are living undocumented in the US.

“There are strong indications from President Obama’s administration officials that the President intends using executive action to afford deportation protections to parents and spouses of US citizens and permanent residents who have been in the country for some years.

“This relaxation of the rules, allowing parents of US-born children or legal residents to themselves receive legal status in the country would remove the threat of families being separated and would greatly ease the daily stress of Irish families who are undocumented in the US.

“The undocumented Irish, who now consider the US as their home, who pay their taxes, participate in American society and whose kids know nowhere else as home, simply want a pathway to being documented.

“Many of the undocumented Irish live in daily terror of being deported. They have not been home to visit their loved ones in Ireland for years. They’ve missed out on many family occasions including funerals and weddings. I hope that this planned action by President Obama will succeed and look forward to more developments shortly.”