Irish Illegal Immigrants in 21st Century USA
Since Trump got into office, he had one principle, “Come legit or stay at home.” This was a message to all the immigrants in the United States living illegally. According to Lewis s(2013), Irish migrants have been flocking in the USA for decades following economic challenges back in their country. According to the report by NPR podcast, just like the Mexicans, Central Americans and the Haitians, Irish internationals are on the watch list in the ongoing wave of deportation by the Immigrants and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The case of Irish nationals living in Boston is a significant concern.
Just like O’Riordan, many Irish come to the US though unauthorized channel or after the expiry of their time, they start living in the US illegally and involve themselves in informal sectors. American is a land of opportunities; everyone wants to go the US and pursue the American dream, but since Trump made things to change. O’Riordan maintained a low profile by working for his Uncle’s roofing company after he dropped out of high school.
However, O’Riordan is just a case of very many Irish internationals who came on visa to the US but overstay. In Boston, the number of undocumented Irish is very high an since the crackdown; they live in a wary because according to the new rules, everyone is a target. The life is difficult for the Irish community in Boston because, for a simple traffic offence, they face deport back to Ireland. When the ICE discovers an illegal Irish immigrant, they arrest him or her anywhere, at home, at place of work, or in their leisure places like in Bar. According to NPR podcast, the Director of Irish International Immigrant Center in Boston says that the skin colour of the Irish people provide no protection, they have lost confidence, and they are living in fear.
In the bid to help its people, Ireland noticed appointed a member of parliament to help the Irish living the USA acquire citizenship and help them get work visas. According to the NPR podcast, the government of Ireland approximates more than 50,000 of its people live in the US soil illegally. The government is emphasizing helping its citizens because, they believe with low population in the country, almost every family in Ireland knows of a person who lives in the US illegally.
The issue of Irish migration is, however not new, Ireland has been sending its citizens to the US during the economic crisis. This the reason why the Ireland government is so concerned to help its citizens settle in the US an get work visaa. With almost a third of the country migrating to the US in the 19th century during the famine, the trend has been same all through. Immigrants have been seeking a way to enter the US then they fail to go back after their time expires. When parents come to the US, they find a way to bring their children from Ireland to live with them. The case of O’Riordan is an excellent example of his parents, who saw an opportunity to raise their son in the US after they came on a green card.
Although there are growing immigrants’ threats, deportation is inevitable this time. However, for those on the deportation list, even a “fairly” adjudicated removal is devastating (Cházaro, 2019). Much Irish living in the US feel unsafe, and they are aware that they can be deported anytime; however, those who are already in the process of deportation like O’Riordan believe that someday they will get a green card and come to in the US peacefully.
In conclusion, the illegal Irish in the US does not live their daily life peacefully because every day that pass is a chance they survive from arrest by the ICE and deported home. They hope that their government finds a solution for them to settle as US citizens.
References
Cházaro, A. (2019). The end of deportation. UCLA Law Review, Forthcoming.
Lewis, A. (2013). America’s New Irish Immigrants. BBC. com.