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The number of Irish immigrants to the United States has dwindled since 1995, when the Diversity Visa Program was last reformed to expand the variety of America's immigrants. Now, there are new calls for reform after a computer glitch denied the visas of 22,000 immigrant hopefuls.

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A computer glitch at the U.S. State Department resulted in more than 20,000 people being wrongly told that they had been selected as finalists in the 2012 diversity visa lottery, voiding their chances for a Green Card and consequently, U. S. Citizenship. more>

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It's no surprise at all that the congressional hearings called last week by the Congressman Peter King to look into real or imagined radicalization in the nation's Muslim community would cause a stir in the Irish-American community, most especially that part of it most devoted to politics. more>

Reports drifting back to Irish Echo indicate that planes flying between Ireland and the United States over the Christmas holiday were by no means empty despite the hard times. It can only be speculated as to how many passengers in those planes were scouting out the United States for a longer term stay, or indeed planning on not taking the return flight. more>

In many ways, the template laid down by Irish immigrants in the 19^th century is today being played out by Mexican Americans. more>

Our soldiers are battling for the hearts and minds of the peoples of two Islamic countries, and yet the word "mosque" is treated as an epithet in sections of our media and society.  Our nation has close political, military and business alliances with the world's many Muslim nations and yet Islamophobia is exploited by some of our politicians. more>

The prediction by the Economics and Social Research Institute [Dublin, Ireland] that as many as 120,000 Irish people will be heading for the exits between now and the end of next year is something that has to be taken note of on this side of the Atlantic. more>

It would seem clear that Americans resent clergy who mix politics and the pulpit, at least, that is, when they disagree with the clergy's position. more>

This country was built by immigrants, legal and illegal. It's time to unleash the potential of those living in the shadows. They're not going back so let's harness their capabilities and give up the "fortress America" attitude which is not only damaging our national psyche but also or pocketbooks.

VIDEO :: Jeffrey Brown of PBS Newshour talks to Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva and Mike Hethmon of the Immigration Law Reform Institute about potential changes in U.S. immigration policy. more>

Health care reform was never an easy prospect, and neither is immigration reform, but the latter lately looks as if it might get closer presidential attention in the coming weeks because of the problems facing the former.

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The author observes that immigration reform will happen only when the numbers fall into place comfortably: the number of undocumented; the number in support in Congress; the number of unemployed, and finally the self-appointed number of sponsors for reform. more>

Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform vice chairman Ciaran Staunton was badly shocked not just by Gallagher's death, but by the fact that the body of the 72-year-old remained undiscovered in his Sunnyside, Queens apartment for a week or more. more>

The stock market has tanked. Entire industries are in peril. Americans fear for their savings if they have any left. Jobs are disappearing. The government is lurching from position to position, uncertain, confused, and worried. Who says history does not repeat itself? more>

The author reflects on how New York City has always been a land of many different languages against a national backdrop of intolerance for differences. more>

Given the closeness of the relationship between the United States and Ireland, the difficulties facing Americans who want to live and work in Ireland seem all the more extraordinary. more>

The author looks at the history of the New Hampshire primary to emphasize why it has helped shape the voters' support for given candidates. more>

The opinion article by U.S.-Ireland Alliance president Trina Vargo, who for years worked on the immigration reform issue in her role as a top aide to Senator Edward Kennedy, has caused a storm of criticism on both sides of the Atlantic. She argues Irish are looking for special treatment in immigration considerations. more>

Dublin economist David McWilliams called for a “right of return” policy for Irish abroad, modeled on how Israel opens its doors to Jews across the world, a “constant renewing” of contacts at every level of society. more>

The DREAM Act fell in the Senate late last week. A situation such as this, at the very least, is a stark reminder of just what a mess we are in, how difficult an issue immigration and its reform is and will clearly remain. more>

I haven’t been home for Christmas in 19 years and I doubt if I’ll ever go again. The old folks are gone and, with them, the house; and though I’d be more than welcome at my brother’s or sister’s, it’s not quite the same, is it? more>

If you believe that elected officials are supposed to be role models as well as lawmakers, then their private behavior certainly does matter. But that raises a host of other questions: What sort of behavior disqualifies a politician from being a role model? Infidelity? Neglect of family? Lying? more>

According to the author, the draw of stronger economies around the globe, like Australia, is luring Irish who traditionally would have made their way to the United States to work. He predicts, however, that if Ireland’s economy takes a nosedive, even with an antagonistic immigration policy, Irish would make their way here again. more>

Immigration, according to the author, has never been easy in both human and legal terms. It’s even harder if you’re Irish without a direct family connection to one of the 50 states. And it looks like getting harder again by virtue of a new package of rules being proposed by the Bush administration. more>