Malachy McAllister speaking with Hillary Clinton earlier this week.
By Ray O’Hanlon
rohanlon@irishecho.com
“She certainly remembered my case and wondered why I was in the position I'm in.”
That was how Malachy McAllister summed up his discussion Monday evening with former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The meeting took place at an Irish American rally for Clinton on what turned out to be the eve of her New York primary victory.
“I thanked her for sending her condolences when Bernadette died,” said McAllister in reference to his wife who died in 2004.
McAllister and Bernadette met with Clinton when she was still first lady.
“She stood for several minutes listening intently and remembered me telling the story about growing up on the Ormeau Road and Joyce McCartan (tea pot summit) at the Brehon Law Society Dinner in 2004 in Rosie O' Grady's,” said McAllister.
“She also listened to Brian O’Dwyer telling her how big a supporter I am of the peace process, and how I employ American citizens and have now a four-year-old son born in New York,” added McAllister of the meeting, which took place in the Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel.
Meanwhile, the effort to secure a stay on the deportation order that McAllister fears will be imposed on his just a few days from now includes a letter on his behalf and signed by 44 members of the House of Representatives, Democrats and Republicans, to Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, and the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Sarah Saldaña.
The letter was penned by Congressman Joe Crowley of New York, and Representatives Peter King of New York and Bill Pascrell of New Jersey.
A statement from Crowley’s office regarding the letter stated in part: “Reps. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus and co-chair of the Congressional Ad-Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Peter King (R-NY), co-chair of Friends of Ireland, Richard Neal (D-MA), co-chair of Friends of Ireland, and Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, led a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement urging the agency to intervene to stop the deportation of Malachy McAllister.”
Another letter on McAllister’s behalf, from Ancient Order of Hibernians National President Brendan Moore, has been sent to every member of Congress.
The letter states: “As the National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America Inc., I send you greetings from our many tens of thousands of members and their families across the US, many of whom reside in your home state.
“I am writing you today to ensure that you are aware of the bipartisan efforts of your fellow legislators, US Representatives Joe Crowley, Bill Pascrell, Chris Smith, Peter King, Richie Neal & US Senators Chuck Schumer and Bob Menendez on Representative Pascrell’s Bill H.R.4920 - For the relief of Malachy McAllister, Nicola McAllister, and Sean Ryan McAllister.
“Your colleagues are asking Homeland Security to suspend the deportation order on Malachy McAllister, a long time New Jersey resident and respected Irish community leader and business owner.
“Mr. McAllister is facing imminent deportation, even though he has been granted temporary reprieve to remain in the United States for a decade.
“Many years of United States’ legislative and diplomatic efforts on the Irish Peace Process include protection for those involved in the conflict, who stood for peace at a crucial time.
“Malachy and his family were forced to flee Northern Ireland in 1988 to escape persecution for their political beliefs after pro-British loyalists fired 26 rounds of ammunition into his home, nearly injuring his children.
“Malachy, his wife Bernadette, since deceased, and his children, Gary, Jamie, Nicola, and Sean Ryan left Ireland to escape these death threats. Malachy and his family have resided in New Jersey for twenty years.
“In 2007, Malachy, Nicola and Sean Ryan were facing deportation when Senator Menendez took the exceptional step of introducing Private Relief Bill S.2301 to stay the immediate deportation of the McAllister family.
“Since then, their temporary reprieve has been renewed every year and Sean Ryan and Nicola have also received temporary deportation relief under President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program.
“I ask you on behalf of our fellow AOH member, Malachy McAllister, his young family and all of those like him who continue to promote Peace in Ireland, to encourage HSE Director Jeh Johnson to allow Malachy to stay with his family in the USA.”
McAllister is scheduled for deportation on Monday, April 25.
