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MORE THAN 2,000 Irish Americans gathered outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington yesterday to campaign for immigration reform. The protesters, many of them undocumented workers, want legislators to legalise their status. They want an amnesty so they can have temporary worker visas, which would allow them to come and go from the United States. At present, they are trapped there, unable to return home for family reunions or funerals. Coachloads of Irish workers both legal and illegal went to the rally on buses from New York City, Boston and Pittsburgh. Others flew in from as far away as San Francisco. The march was organisedby the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, a New York-based group launched in December last year, with an E30,000 grant from the Irish Government. Since then support for the cause has ballooned, with meetings across the country. Thousands of Irish immigrants say they contribute to the American economy but are unable to become legal citizens. Under a proposed bill put forward by U.S. Senators Ted Kennedy and John McCain, undocumented workers would be entitled to temporary worker visas, with the possibility of working towards permanent U.S. citizenship. 'All eight of my great-grandparents came here to escape poverty and famine in Ireland, Senator Kennedy proudly told the crowd in Washington. 'All they wanted was a new life for themselves and their children. 'Immigrants have built this country and helped make it great.' He pledged to help stop the exploitation of undocumented workers, and build the road to citizenship for taxpaying immigrants struggling to feed their families and make a home for their young ones. 'To our opponents who say so casually, "Turn them into criminals," we reply, "Turn them into Americans," and make America a stronger and better land,' he added. Michael Corridan, who helped coordinate the event, said it had been a huge success. 'We estimate that between 2,500 and 3,000 people were here,' he said. 'The atmosphere has been incredible and it's been very positive.' Corridan, from New York, said speakers included U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton. The next step will be to target the Irish government when ministers arrive in New York for St Patrick's Day next week.
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