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The latest step towards recognition of the undocumented Irish living in the United States has been welcomed with caution by Newry and Mourne Fews area Sinn Fein Councillor Pat McGinn.
The United States Senate has approved a comprehensive immigration reform bill but the major hurdle now is to get the legislation through the Republican led House of Representatives.
Echoing the comments of Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams who said that the approval by the United States Senate "had the potential to lift fear of discovery and expulsion from undocumented Irish citizens living and working in the USA", the Councillor who has for many years highlighted the issue of the undocumented Irish and the need to create a pathway to citizenship that ensured all undocumented immigrants have access to full rights, commended the efforts of the Irish Immigration lobby which has worked tirelessly for this decision and the US Senators who backed this legislation.
"It was hugely important that the legislation received bi-partisan support in the Senate but now it must go to Congress to clear the final hurdle. They must work together to take the estimated 11 million undocumented which includes many tens of thousands of undocumented Irish out of the shadows and into full citizenship" said the elected representative, who concluded "The US Senate has done its job, now its up to the House of Representatives to do the same.
Concluding Cllr McGinn added "I would urge all those who have an interest in this issue to ensure that whatever lobby and practical support can be given to those supporting the Bill, to take action. I will now ask Newry and Mourne Council to contact all members of the House of Representatives asking them to support the Immigration Reform Bill coming before them."
