The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) was back in the nation’s capital last Thursday [September 7] to unite with immigrant rights advocates for a rally at the National Mall, followed by a march calling for legislation that would provide a path to legal citizenship for an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

The rally coincided with the return of Congress after the August recess. More than half a million people were expected at the Mall on Thursday, but organizers were disheartened that only 5,000 supporters showed up. Previous immigration rallies drew hundreds of thousands of people to Washington D.C. and elsewhere.

“Si Se Puede” (We Can Do It) was the mantra of the day. Even ILIR members who spoke very little Spanish were bellowing the affirmation.

This worked to ILIR’s advantage. A Mexican worker, Santos Horrora, arrived at the Mall with painter’s stilts on. Steve McSweeney of ILIR approached him and asked if he would change into the “Legalize the Irish” shirt.

“Si Se Puede” was his response. He attracted the attention of several media members when he put it on.

The Mall was awash with signs and posters declaring “Full rights for immigrants,” “We are America” and “Legalize the Irish.”

Even though Thursday’s rally drew fewer crowds than expected, the message still reached Capitol Hill. Senator Ted Kennedy (D - MA) addressed the gathering with a positive attitude.

“We will pass an immigration bill in Congress that is worthy of America and the time is now,” Kennedy stated.

Andrew Wiley of Pearl River, New York, whose family originates from Limerick and Dublin, told the Irish Voice that he had his doubts about legalizing all the undocumented in the country.

“I came down to see what it was all about. I never really realized how big the problem was. To be honest, I had my reservations prior to today, but then you meet real people first hand; it touches you,” said Wiley.

Another Irish-American supporter who attended the rally was Marty Collins. When asked by the Irish Voice why he traveled four hours from New York for the event, he said: “My parents would have wanted me here. They were immigrants in the times of the Depression. To be honest, my conscience brought me here more than anything else. My parents would have thanked me if they were alive.”

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform was determined to get a speaker on stage to tell the Irish story. Volunteer Mary Brennan approached the organizers and they offered the whole group a place on stage with Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (D - TX), who pledged her support to ILIR and the cause of immigration reform.

Last year, the House passed a bill that would consider the undocumented and those who assisted them as felons. The Senate then passed a more favorable bill on comprehensive immigration reform earlier this year.

However, immigration reform is currently stalled because House Republicans have refused calls to bring the two competing bills together in a conference to hammer out a compromise.

Senator Kennedy told those at the rally that Congress did not have the luxury to let four weeks go by and not deal with the immigration issue.

“If we can’t get this Congress to pass fair immigration reform now, then we will elect a new congress in November who will,” he said.

ILIR, however, is determined more than ever to keep the momentum up and the ball rolling. Throughout the summer, volunteers attended every hearing and Irish festival that was held in the hope of gaining support from the community.