Anyone who watched President Biden’s first State of the Union address will now know the White House and Democrats haven’t given up on immigration reform.
Joe Biden actually surprised people by how much time he gave the topic and how impassioned he was about finally passing an immigration package.
So contrary to what some commentators have said recently, guys like Biden, Senators Dick Durbin and Chuck Schumer haven’t given up on immigration this year and the Ancient Order of Hibernians hasn’t given up either. And we never will.
And the reason for that is our organization, since its foundation in 1836, has always been dedicated to improving the immigration possibilities for the Irish.
This proactive stance on immigration has not, and will not, change. As is noted in the preamble of our organization’s Constitution, one of the goals of the Ancient Order of Hibernians is to “encourage an equitable U.S. Immigration Law for Ireland, and to cooperate with groups for a fair American Immigration Policy…”
Senator Dick Durbin
With that in mind, the Ancient Order of Hibernians has hired former Irish TD and former Special Envoy to the U.S. John Deasy, as our government liaison. Mr. Deasy first contracted with the AOH to help with immigration issues, but based on his ability to open doors on Capitol Hill, his role has recently expanded.
As the person who drafted the Irish visa waiver legislation in the 1990s, Deasy knows the task of obtaining changes to immigration has never been easy and actually may be getting harder as the environment in Washington, D.C. becomes even more partisan. However, as once stated by a great American, Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over!”
To date, proposed legislative changes in Irish Immigration have been focused on a revision of the current E-3 visa to allow approximately 5,000 unused visas, from the 10,500 visas previously allocated to Australia, to be reallocated to Ireland on an annual basis.
This E-3 version passed twice by the House of Representatives takes the unused visas in the following fiscal year, thereby safeguarding Australia’s allocation. The legislative intent of the original E-3 visa recognized Australia’s special assistance to the United States during the Iraq conflict.
Senator Chuck Schumer
Ireland also provided special assistance by permitting Shannon Airport to be used by United States forces during the same conflict. Revision of the E-3 visa would be consistent with the original legislative intent. Such a revision would also recognize the historical and special relationship between the United States and Ireland.
Recently, the Irish government has again taken up discussions involving a reciprocal package of measures on immigration, “to be further examined in the in the context of a significant U.S. offer on the undocumented Irish.” The reciprocal agreement involves the possibility of U.S. retirees taking up residence in Ireland. These discussions are also designed to further discussions on Irish immigration on a broader scope. We look forward to continue working with Charlie Flanagan TD, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, on the possible reciprocal agreement, as well as Irish immigration on a broader level.
The process of obtaining meaningful changes in immigration policy has never been easy. Persistence is required to accomplish any meaningful change. As Immigration Chairman, working alongside of our President Danny O’Connell, we will not deviate from this goal. We strongly believe that immigration reform is still possible, and now that it’s clear the White House and Congressional leaders haven’t given up, how can we? Let’s all work together to get this done.
Tom Lambert National Immigration Chair, The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America. His views reflect those of the AOH National Board
