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>

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>

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>

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>

The immigration bill currently before the Senate has something in it for everyone, and everyone dislikes something in it. more>

The Bronx and Cedar Falls might be in the same country, but when it comes to immigration reform they are worlds apart. And as a far as Senator John McCain (R-AZ) would appear to be concerned, Cedar Falls, Iowa is Kansas; the Bronx is Oz. more>

The author hoped that George W. Bush, who now knows, likes and understands Latino immigrants, and George Pataki, whose grandmother was an illegal immigrant, could end the phenomenon of the undocumented Irish and other immigrants. more>

The Irish Americans seem to be the only group still taking part in the immigration debate, now fighting the new U.S/UK extradition treaty, which the ACLU fears would strip the U.S. judiciary of its power to determine whether an extradition request by Britain is politically motivated. more>

In an effort to drum up support for the McCain/Kennedy immigration bill, the Irish government this week stepped more forcefully into U.S. immigration reform debate when it announced a grant of $36,000 to aid the work of the recently formed Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR). more>

Delegates representing Irish immigration centers throughout the United States are gathering in New York this week for an annual conference they hope will be an opening act in a year of immigration reform. more>

With all the troubles in the world it would seem that Ireland might have a hard time squeezing into the picture in the context of the November presidential election. But then again, maybe not. Large Irish-American communities in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Ohio could make a difference. more>

New passenger tracking technology at U.S. airports is raising the specter of another Christmas far from home for the undocumented Irish. The new system monitors passengers entering and departing the United States, so someone who overstays the 90 days allowed under the visa waiver program faces the possibility of being barred from returning to the United States. more>

Congressional debate continues to delay the vital, and long-awaited, immigration provision 245i, which would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for legal status. more>