Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary, Kevin McAleenan
By Ray O’Hanlon
Senator Charles Schumer has appealed directly to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan on behalf of Malachy McAllister, who is facing deportation from the United States on Tuesday, April 30.
According to a statement from Schumer’s office, the Senate Minority Leader called Acting Secretary McAleenan and urged him to overrule ICE’s decision to deport McAllister.
The statement said that Schumer pointed out to the acting secretary that Malachy McAllister has been living in the U.S. since the mid-90s with no criminal record.
“In fact,” said the statement, “he is a deeply respected and active member of the Irish community in New York and New Jersey, a productive businessperson.”
Senator Schumer noted that President Trump’s sister, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, had written a legal opinion that McAllister should be allowed to stay.
“He has a young U.S. citizen child, several grandchildren, and he is a long-time supporter of the Irish Peace Process,” the statement added.
Said Senator Schumer: “Mr. McAllister is a valued member of the Irish American community who has done nothing but productive things since seeking asylum here following an assassination attempt on him and his family during the Troubles.
“It achieves no positive benefit for America to deport him. I conveyed to Acting Secretary McAleenan that he is a father and grandfather to U.S. citizen children, is a strong supporter of the Irish peace process, and that he should use his authority to overrule the misguided deportation order.”
Senator Schumer, the statement said, has fought for years for ICE to defer Malachy McAllister’s deportation.
“He has supported administrative and legislative remedies and has fought alongside Senator Menendez, Rep. Peter King, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Rep. Eliot Engel and other House supporters for Malachy to be able to stay.
“Years ago, Senator Schumer placed a similar call to former DHS Secretary Johnson, when ICE tried to deport Malachy at that time. Secretary Johnson overruled ICE’s decision. Senator Schumer urged Mr. McAleenan to do the same,” the New York senator said.
Schumer’s statement pointed to the fact that on Friday, March 15, Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham had requested another six-month stay of removal for McAllister, pursuant to ICE’s new policy around private bills.
“On Monday, April 15, in an unprecedented move, ICE denied Chairman Graham’s request,” the statement said.
