Written answers

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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78. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts he and his Department are making with the new United States administration to improve the situation for undocumented Irish emigrants to the United States of America; his views on whether there will be positive developments under the current administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24033/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 80 together.

Addressing the situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the US and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people wishing to live and work in the US have been priority issues for successive Governments and continue to be key priorities for the current Government.

Immigration issues have been raised on an ongoing basis in our engagement with successive US Administrations and political leaders. The Taoiseach raised the matter in March this year directly with President Biden during his St. Patrick's Day virtual visit. These engagements will continue as we maintain close relations with Members of Congress and contacts from across the political spectrum in the US, and as we seek opportunities to deepen and strengthen our bilateral relations with the Administration of President Biden.

We are pleased to see that immigration issues, including possible pathways to citizenship, are a priority for President Biden, as demonstrated by his proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021. We look forward to working with his Administration as well as with the US Congress, across the aisle, as they pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the US. We will actively engage with the Administration and Congress on this matter, including through our Embassy in Washington DC.

We also continue to pursue the E3 Visa Bill, which, if passed, could allow access to thousands of US visas each year to Irish citizens. We will seek the reintroduction of the Bill at the earliest opportunity.

Our Embassy in Washington D.C., as well as our Consulates across the US, work closely with Irish Immigration Centres, which support the needs of Irish citizens. The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers receives significant annual funding through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme. Furthermore, in response to the pandemic, a dedicated COVID-19 Response Fund for Irish Communities Abroad was set up to help these organisations meet the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable. In 2020, over €4.25m was paid to diaspora organisations in the US for ESP and Covid-19 related projects.

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