|
|
|
 |
In the middle of the 1980's there was a large number of
undocumented Irish living in the United States. At that time Irish immigrants were a group
that had fallen between the immigration 'cracks', having missed out on the amnesty program
of 1986. Because of the Irish immigrants' long history of contributing to their adopted
country it was no surprise that by 1987 the Irish community had begun to agitate for
changes in immigration law. The fruits of their labor are most visible in the Morrison and
Schumer Visa programs, written into the U.S. Immigration Act of 1990, which give balance
and diversity to U.S. immigration policy. One group that was very instrumental in these positive changes was the Irish Immigration Reform Movement (IIRM). The IIRM also recognized the need for a center which could provide day-to-day assistance to recent Irish immigrants, especially since many were undocumented, and in 1988 Emerald Isle Immigration Center (EIIC) was born. In those early days a small hard-working staff and dedicated board and volunteers spent long hours helping people with important matters; bank accounts, driver's licenses, housing, medical insurance, education and protection under the law. The Center helped thousands to apply for visas after 1990 and has since assisted many more thousands to follow through and get green cards. Since 1990 the Center has broadened the scope of its services to include job-training and placement services. The Center has also recently placed much emphasis on Citizenship and Voter Registration among Irish immigrants. The Center sees empowerment and participation as a vital factor in the well-being of the community it serves. In many ways, helping those who were once 'illegal aliens' to become U.S. citizens is enough reward for building the Center to its current position of leadership in New York's Irish immigrant community. Today, however, we are seeing some setbacks for the overall well-being of the Irish immigrant community. It is becoming harder and harder to secure green cards. The Diversity Program offers one of the few hopes but the new immigration law passed by Congress last year even removes that chance for many. In the year ahead EIIC will strive to bring the attention of legislators to the plight befalling many immigrants from Ireland. EIIC has had many highlights over the years. These highlights include the presentation
of the Paul O'Dwyer Peace and Justice Award to President Bill Clinton in September 1998,
and the memorable visits of Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, to the Woodside facility
in June 1998, and President Mary Robinson's visit in May 1995. |
|||
Home| News| Services| Immigration| Employment| Legislation| History| Feedback|
Designed by Telart
