Local bishop welcomes obamas moves on immigration

President Barack Obama's proposed changes to the US immigration system have been welcomed by a local Bishop on behalf of the 'undocumented' Irish who are living in the United States.

Bishop John Kirby, a native of Athlone who is Bishop of Clonfert and chair of the Irish Bishops’ Council for Emigrants, said the executive action outlined by President Obama highlighted 'the complexity of the problems surrounding migration.”

In a speech last night, Mr Obama said his plan would mean undocumented parents of children who are US citizens or legal residents would be able to apply for work permits.

Parents must have lived in the US for five years, and must pass a criminal background check, in order to qualify. It's thought that 3.7 million people, including thousands of Irish citizens, will be eligible for the scheme.

Mr Obama's proposals include a relaxation of restrictions stopping some Irish immigrants from travelling between the US and Ireland. Up to now, those who are living in the US without legal status have been prevented from travelling home because of the fear that they would not be allowed return to the States following their visit.

Bishop Kirby said he and other bishops were 'acutely aware of the human impact on families when relatives are unable to travel to Ireland to see their loved ones, and in particular to visit their aging parents.

'Our undocumented emigrants have faced great personal turmoil and pain as they have been prevented from participating in key moments of family life back home such as baptisms, marriages and when a loved one is seriously ill or has died.

'Their family life existence in the United States has similarly been curtailed by being placed under the daily stress of constant fear of arrest and deportation. The quality of life of the children of our undocumented living in the US has been particularly compromised in this regard.'

The bishop continued: “The care for migrants/people on the move is given a particular significance by Pope Francis... when he says, ‘It is necessary to respond to the globalization of migration with the globalization of charity and cooperation, in such a way as to make the conditions of migrants more humane.’'

He concluded by expressing his gratitude to the members of the Irish Apostolate USA who are the active arm of the Bishops’ Council for Emigrants in the United States.

'The Irish Apostolate has worked tirelessly on behalf of our undocumented. The staff offer pastoral care for the undocumented on a daily basis, and also advocate tirelessly on their behalf. At this time I wish to thank successive Irish governments for their support over many years on this issue and emigrant support more generally,” said Bishop Kirby.