Minister Charlie Flanagan opening the Global Irish Civic Forum in Dublin Castle today. RollingNews.ie
By Ray O’Hanlon
The undocumented Irish will be spoken of at length at the Global Irish Civic Forum which opened in Dublin today.
They cannot speak for themselves at the forum because a visit to the Irish capital is about as possible as a flight to the moon.
This assuming that all among them want to hang on to their tenuous American lives – a task only made possible by staying put and avoiding the bars against returning to the U.S should they risk even a short departure from U.S. soil.
The forum, the second annual, is being held in Dublin Castle and was formally opened by Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan and Minister of State for the Diaspora and, Joe McHugh.
The theme of the gathering, which runs today and tomorrow, is “Communities, Connections, Conversations,” and 220 delegates representing over 150 Irish community organizations from all over the world are taking part.
The conversations, which will take place in panel discussions and workshops, will focus on an array of topics including the undocumented Irish, support for Irish emigrants returning to Ireland, and the planned referendum in the Republic that could end up allowing Irish citizens around the world vote in Irish presidential elections.
“In a year of much change I welcome the opportunity to reconfirm our commitment to and connection with our diaspora.
“Irish heritage, and its associated values, are not something that diminish over time or distance and the level of participation at this Civic Forum is testament to this fact,” said Mr. Flanagan by way of welcome.
Minister of State McHugh hosted what a Department of Foreign Affairs release described as “an important gathering on the undocumented Irish in the United States.”
This took place on the forum’s eve, Wednesday evening.
A panel of contributors included Chicago-based Senator Billy Lawless, San Francisco-based Celine Kennelly, President of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, Ronnie Millar of the Irish International Immigration Center in Boston, Michael McMahon of Ireland-based Families of the undocumented in America, and Michael Lonergan, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, D.C.
The event, according to the department release, was also attended by representatives of Irish immigration and support organizations funded through the Irish government’s Emigrant Support Program and other U.S.-based groups including the Aisling Irish Community Center, the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, the Irish Immigration Center Philadelphia, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
“Bringing together the different groups most involved in supporting undocumented Irish citizens in the United States allows us to have a better understanding of the challenges they face, as well as the difficulties faced by their families at home,” said Minister McHugh.
“By working together, we will continue to sensitize the U.S. authorities at federal, state and municipal levels to our concerns, and seek solutions for our citizens abroad,” he said.
Minister McHugh also announced an additional €50,000 funding from the Emigrant Support Program budget for the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, praising its work as “a vital service not only for our undocumented citizens, but also for all Irish people living and working in the United States.”
In the last funding round for the Emigrant Support Program, organizations in the U.S were allocated more than €2.3 million.
