Illegal Irish Immigrants in the USA: What can Be Done?

JupiterKid · 02-03-2017 10:15pm #1

I was just watching a Prime Time report on the illegal Irish in the USA - those who travelled to the US and got work there and stayed there but are now "undocumented" and whose fate is now very precarious under the new Trump administration that has vowed to rid the US of "illegal aliens." Two women interviewed were very upset - one could not go back to Ireland for her mother's funeral and another has two children, both born in the USA.

What do you think should be done? Should there be an amnesty for illegals or should they be deported? Is it making Ireland sounding just a bit hypocritical with respect to our own immigration laws which are allegedly strict? Should the USA only be cracking down on illegal immigrants with criminal records? Or is it just tough for the illegals - that they should be rooted out and forcibly deported?

Apparently a number of "sanctuary cities" in America such as Boston and San Francisco have been at complete loggerheads with the Federal authorities over the issue of illegal immigrants. The authorities allege the city mayors are felons for allowing illegals to live in thier cities and the city mayors say that trying to criminalise their blind eye approach to immigrants is unconstitutional.

Thoughts?

fryup · 02-03-2017 10:19pm

if they're there illegally they're there illegally

they are breaking the law and therefore should be deported...we wouldn't hesitate in doing it in this country

Poor Uncle Tom · 02-03-2017 10:21pm

All adding to the Black Market Economy, they should be sent back home and do things right. Stop sponging and pay your feckin taxes like every legitimate person. Illegals are not a downtrodden minority, they are side stepping spongers who are costing everyone else.

DanMurphy · 02-03-2017 10:22pm

Unless...a cheap crystal bowl of shamrock buys them another year.

dan1895 · 02-03-2017 10:24pm

I don't envy their situation or want to see them deported but it's a situation of their own doing and should the US government want to deport them then so be it. We have no right to say otherwise and I genuinely don't understand the campaigning on their behalf.

Poor Uncle Tom · 02-03-2017 10:29pm

JupiterKid wrote: »

Two women interviewed were very upset - one could not go back to Ireland for her mother's funeral........

Sensationalist crap, of course she can come back to Ireland for her mother's funeral, she just won't get back into the country she is now in illegally afterwards. I've no sympathy in this case because of the spin.....

Your Face · 02-03-2017 10:30pm

They took the chance.

mynamejeff · 02-03-2017 10:30pm

given that they come from a country with a long history of terrorism they should be returned to their country of origin with immediate effect

o wait .......

Mrs OBumble · 02-03-2017 10:32pm

They should start taking responsibility for their own situations and move to a country where they have a right to be. Shouldn't be up to the government to deport them.

madanall · 02-03-2017 10:33pm

They are in another country illegally. They should be sent home .

02-03-2017 10:43pm

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

All adding to the Black Market Economy, they should be sent back home and do things right. Stop sponging and pay your feckin taxes like every legitimate person. Illegals are not a downtrodden minority, they are side stepping spongers who are costing everyone else.

Er, as Prime Time made clear, despite their illegal status Uncle Sam has very kindly ensured they have a "loophole" which means they must pay taxes.

pickarooney · 02-03-2017 10:43pm

fryup wrote: »

if they're there illegally they're there illegally

they are breaking the law and therefore should be deported...we wouldn't hesitate in doing it in this country

It's a nation of squatters, Chuck them all out.

ballyharpat · 02-03-2017 10:45pm

I lived illegally for 11 years in America, I knew the whole time I was there, I could be deported at any time if I ran into the wrong cop.
That was my decision, I would have liked at the time to have gotten legal, but I was breaking the law and had no one to blame but myself if I was deported.

I was, however, paying taxes over there, and I started up my own company as well. However, I was not able to drive legally over there.

I agree, we should not be treated any different than any other nationality, we are not special-well-in that respect anyway-our personalities on the other hand, are definitely special

Poor Uncle Tom · 02-03-2017 10:46pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Er, as Prime Time made clear, despite their illegal status Uncle Sam has very kindly ensured they have a "loophole" which means they must pay taxes.

Er, no, that is a very small percentage of illegals....

ballyharpat · 02-03-2017 10:50pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Er, as Prime Time made clear, despite their illegal status Uncle Sam has very kindly ensured they have a "loophole" which means they must pay taxes.

For the most part, it's up to yourself to make a decision to pay taxes or not, unless you have your own business. You cannot, legally be hired as an employee over there, you are illegal.
Bar workers, construction workers etc, for the most part, pay zero tax.

I wanted to do it, because if there ever was an amnesty, they most likely would want to see a paper trail of your income and where you were living at a particular time.

RobertKK · 02-03-2017 10:51pm

People knew they were illegal when they decided to abuse their tourist visa/ESTA, and the 90 day limit.
All illegals have committed a criminal act.

What can be done?
Deported and a process for proper residency if they want to move back to the US.

Poor Uncle Tom · 02-03-2017 10:54pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Er, as Prime Time made clear, despite their illegal status Uncle Sam has very kindly ensured they have a "loophole" which means they must pay taxes.

Please have a read.....

In the last presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, Clinton said that “half of all” illegal immigrants in the U.S. “actually pay federal income tax.” PolitiFact, a Pulitzer Prize-winning fact check organization, investigated Clinton’s claim and reported: “While there is no official figure, experts estimate that about half of all undocumented workers pay federal income taxes, if not more.”

In reality, the polar opposite is true. Federal government data shows that while roughly half of illegal immigrants file federal tax returns, the vast majority of them don’t pay any federal income taxes. Instead, they use these returns to claim refundable tax credits, which are a form of cash welfare. In other words, illegal immigrants mainly use the federal income tax code to collect money from U.S. citizens.

http://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/james-agresti/about-61-million-illegals-filed-taxes-us-many-didnt-pay-received-refunds

Noddyholder · 02-03-2017 10:55pm

It was sad looking at the poor woman all the same, but there no different than a Mexican or any other illegal emigrant there. There caught there out, just like we do it here, Over 4000 deported from Ireland last year...

Senna · 02-03-2017 10:55pm

JupiterKid wrote: »

- one could not go back to Ireland for her mother's funeral

So her mother died and she decided that it wasn't important enough to go back for the funeral because she likes her life as an illegal immigrant, and we are meant to feel sorry for her.

Also, the term undocumented, they didn't just misplace their documentation, they are illegal immigrants, talk about trying to put a pretty bow on a turd

ballyharpat · 02-03-2017 10:59pm

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

Please have a read.....

http://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/james-agresti/about-61-million-illegals-filed-taxes-us-many-didnt-pay-received-refunds

While I don't dispute that they don't pay taxes-They also cannot claim tax refunds. I overpaid my tax one year, I received a letter stating I was due a refund. I rang them, they processed my number and said, thank you for paying your taxes, you're not supposed to be working in this country, do you really want us to issue you a refund? I promptly said, no, thank you, you can keep it, the lady on the phone said have a nice day, and that was that.......

TheRiverman · 02-03-2017 11:00pm

Senna wrote: »

So her mother died and she decided that it wasn't important enough to go back for the funeral because she likes her life as an illegal immigrant, and we are meant to feel sorry for her.

Also, the term undocumented, they didn't just misplace their documentation, they are illegal immigrants, talk about trying to put a pretty bow on a turd

Well said.I'm sure there are many more in the same situation through their own stupidity.

wakka12 · 02-03-2017 11:01pm

Why is illegal immigration becoming this thing that many people feel shouldn't be illegal anymore? Or more so, keep it illegal possibly just to discourage slightly but just don't punish anyone for it

Skid X · 02-03-2017 11:07pm

I don't have any sympathy for them, but equally I'm not keen on thousands of them being dumped back here and having them whining and demanding all kinds of special treatment from our Government.

02-03-2017 11:16pm

Senna wrote: »

So her mother died and she decided that it wasn't important enough to go back for the funeral because she likes her life as an illegal immigrant, and we are meant to feel sorry for her.

Eh, or else she has a young son, whom she had with a US citizen, and if she came home for the funeral she was very likely never to see him again and if she brought him with her out of the US she could be charged with kidnapping if her ex so wished.

You didn't watch this, did you.

Poor Uncle Tom · 02-03-2017 11:19pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Eh, or else she has a young son, whom she had with a US citizen, and if she came home for the funeral she was very likely never to see him again and if she brought him with her out of the US she could be charged with kidnapping if her ex so wished.

You didn't watch this, did you.

The spin was that she Couldn't come home, when clearly she could. Everything else is just flowers on the spin....

02-03-2017 11:31pm

Skid X wrote: »

I don't have any sympathy for them, but equally I'm not keen on thousands of them being dumped back here and having them whining and demanding all kinds of special treatment from our Government.

If the million or so Irish citizens (including 7 of my older siblings) did not leave this state in the 1980s the state would have collapsed. And so, too, would the billions upon billions of dollars (much earned from the "criminal" work of illegal Irish) sent back propping up families and communities across Ireland. Emigration has always been the saviour of the ruling elite here and their state.

So, yeah, next time you try to get smug about the nature of the illegal Irish in the States, compare your contribution to Ireland with theirs.

dreamers75 · 02-03-2017 11:33pm

Deport its literally the only thing I agree with Trump on.

red ears · 02-03-2017 11:33pm

It is a really tough situation, I felt for that woman talking about her mother dying and she couldn't get home. But on the other hand she is there illegal and should ordinarily be kicked out. But then again how can you kick an 11 year old american child out of america because his mother shouldn't have been there. He was born and raised there.

Fred Swanson · 02-03-2017 11:33pm

This post has been deleted.

red ears · 02-03-2017 11:36pm

The solution is to make it illegal for an employer to hire someone without papers. Have tough enough penalties so businesses won't risk hiring them.

02-03-2017 11:37pm

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

The spin was that she Couldn't come home, when clearly she could. Everything else is just flowers on the spin....

Actually, as you evidently didn't watch it either, the "spin" was explicitly stated: she could come home for her mother's funeral but it was probable she'd lose her son as a consequence. It isn't some conspiracy against God-fearing patriots.

Skid X · 02-03-2017 11:38pm

Deleted User wrote: »

If the million or so Irish citizens (including 7 of my older siblings) did not leave this state in the 1980s the state would have collapsed. And so, too, would the billions upon billions of dollars (much earned from the "criminal" work of illegal Irish) sent back propping up families and communities across Ireland. Emigration has always been the saviour of the ruling elite here and their state.

So, yeah, next time you try to get smug about the nature of the illegal Irish in the States, compare your contribution to Ireland with theirs.

:rolleyes:

Yeah, I think I'm very happy with my contribution to this country compared to those who fecked off to live their lives illegally somewhere else, thanks.

Uncle Mclovin · 02-03-2017 11:39pm

If they deport everyone like they are suggesting will the US not be short of workers?

jam_mac_jam · 02-03-2017 11:43pm

Deport them. So what? I should feel sorry for somebody who puts living in the US above their mother's funeral. I have way more sympathy to someone from a poor country who emigrates. While they should be deported too I feel more for them then those with a passport that makes it possible for them to live anywhere in Europe. Seriously boo hoo.

johnnyskeleton · 02-03-2017 11:44pm

Skid X wrote: »

I don't have any sympathy for them, but equally I'm not keen on thousands of them being dumped back here and having them whining and demanding all kinds of special treatment from our Government.

What if they all come back and use their skills to work and build up the economy? I say itsa great idea. Just make sure the social welfare guys adhere to the ordinarily resident conditions and dont just give them free welfare if they havent been contributing. That way they dont fall into the poverty trap like so many other unfortunates who never really got that push to get into the workforce or who find that they would be at a financial disadvantage to work as welfare pays more than what a lot of jobs are offering

02-03-2017 11:44pm

Skid X wrote: »

:rolleyes:

Yeah, I think I'm very happy with my contribution to this country compared to those who fecked off to live their lives illegally somewhere else, thanks.

Well, you would say that, wouldn't you. Congratulations on personally contributing billions of dollars to the Irish economy but never personally using our hospitals, roads or public services.

jam_mac_jam · 02-03-2017 11:46pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Skid X wrote: »

I don't have any sympathy for them, but equally I'm not keen on thousands of them being dumped back here and having them whining and demanding all kinds of special treatment from our Government.

If the million or so Irish citizens (including 7 of my older siblings) did not leave this state in the 1980s the state would have collapsed. And so, too, would the billions upon billions of dollars (much earned from the "criminal" work of illegal Irish) sent back propping up families and communities across Ireland. Emigration has always been the saviour of the ruling elite here and their state.

So, yeah, next time you try to get smug about the nature of the illegal Irish in the States, compare your contribution to Ireland with theirs.

Why can't they do it legally then?

johnnyskeleton · 02-03-2017 11:46pm

Deleted User wrote: »

If the million or so Irish citizens (including 7 of my older siblings) did not leave this state in the 1980s the state would have collapsed. And so, too, would the billions upon billions of dollars (much earned from the "criminal" work of illegal Irish) sent back propping up families and communities across Ireland. Emigration has always been the saviour of the ruling elite here and their state.

So, yeah, next time you try to get smug about the nature of the illegal Irish in the States, compare your contribution to Ireland with theirs.

How exactly would it have collapsed? Maybe times wouldve been tough for them for a few years, but maybe some of them would have set up businesses etc. Even if it was good as a temporary solution, why didnt they want to come back and put their skills to good use here?

02-03-2017 11:49pm

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

Deport them. So what? I should feel sorry for somebody who puts living in the US above their mother's funeral.

Yes, because this is what the choice was. Well done on missing an important detail.

02-03-2017 11:51pm

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

Why can't they do it legally then?

Stupid question. Or ignorant. Or both.

Fred Swanson · 02-03-2017 11:54pm

This post has been deleted.

dreamers75 · 02-03-2017 11:56pm

Deport them.

Bro and Sis living there both legal now after many years illegal, should have been deported.

Its harsh but fair.

02-03-2017 11:56pm

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

How exactly would it have collapsed? Maybe times wouldve been tough for them for a few years, but maybe some of them would have set up businesses etc. Even if it was good as a temporary solution, why didnt they want to come back and put their skills to good use here?

For starters, how was the Irish state in 1986 expected to fund dole payments for all those unemployed had they not emigrated and earned money working illegally in the US? As for setting up businesses here, perhaps you could ask Tom Gilmartin's son about the crooks and bribes needed to get off the ground here at that time?

LeinsterDub · 02-03-2017 11:59pm

I really wish the Irish government would stop lobbying on the behalf of these law breakers. It makes us hypocritical when we deport illegals here and puts us the position of explaining which law breaking the Irish government condones and which it doesn't

dav3 · 03-03-2017 12:04am

I’ve no doubt there are a good few on here that get raging hard-ons every time they hear the great orange one speak. But for once, try to at least think before typing the usual rabble rousing ‘deport them all’.

Around 50,000 undocumented Irish reside in the US. A large number of those people would have got married and had children. Their spouses and children are not Irish, and as they are not from the EEA, are not automatically entitled to residency.

So when the great orange one rounds up the Irish and deports them, what will happen to their families? They will obviously have to follow them, tens of thousands of adults and children applying for citizenship. They can’t just walk off the plane and into houses and jobs.

The hysterics we had recently over the cost of taking in a few refugee children had some people crying into their copies of mein kampf. I’m not sure how they’re going to take the above scenario, especially with the families being of all different skin colours and religions.

So how much extra are we willing to pay out of our wage packets each month to accommodate the crazy orange one’s latest harebrained scheme? We have to take them in if he starts deporting people, but I’m not sure the usual crowd have thought it through fully.

Recognition Scene · 03-03-2017 12:07am

red ears wrote: »

The solution is to make it illegal for an employer to hire someone without papers. Have tough enough penalties so businesses won't risk hiring them.

Employers are already legally bound to verify an employee's identity and work authorization in the first 3 days. I filled out an I-9 form myself just last week for this purpose.

Zaph · 03-03-2017 12:12am

Deleted User wrote: »

If the million or so Irish citizens (including 7 of my older siblings) did not leave this state in the 1980s the state would have collapsed.

Just so we don't get too carried away here, net emigration from Ireland in the 1980s was actually 208,000, not a million (link - table page 8). Given that there would have been bugger all inward migration to the country at that time, being generous I'd say maximum 250,000 people emigrated during the decade. I was very nearly one of them myself but was lucky enough to get a job that meant I didn't have to leave, unlike many of my schoolmates.

Noddyholder · 03-03-2017 12:21am

dav3 wrote: »

I’ve no doubt there are a good few on here that get raging hard-ons every time they hear the great orange one speak. But for once, try to at least think before typing the usual rabble rousing ‘deport them all’.

Around 50,000 undocumented Irish reside in the US. A large number of those people would have got married and had children. Their spouses and children are not Irish, and as they are not from the EEA, are not automatically entitled to residency.

So when the great orange one rounds up the Irish and deports them, what will happen to their families? They will obviously have to follow them, tens of thousands of adults and children applying for citizenship. They can’t just walk off the plane and into houses and jobs.

The hysterics we had recently over the cost of taking in a few refugee children had some people crying into their copies of mein kampf. I’m not sure how they’re going to take the above scenario, especially with the families being of all different skin colours and religions.

So how much extra are we willing to pay out of our wage packets each month to accommodate the crazy orange one’s latest harebrained scheme? We have to take them in if he starts deporting people, but I’m not sure the usual crowd have thought it through fully.

So the 4000 people Ireland deported last year, You know the ones that have husbands/wife's/children here , What about there families. ? What about the countries we deport them back to ? Do you think illegal Irish should be given special treatment ? And what's with this crazy orange talk, grow up mate.

endacl · 03-03-2017 12:23am

Zaph wrote: »

Just so we don't get too carried away here, net emigration from Ireland in the 1980s was actually 208,000, not a million (link - table page 8). Given that there would have been bugger all inward migration to the country at that time, being generous I'd say maximum 250,000 people emigrated during the decade. I was very nearly one of them myself but was lucky enough to get a job that meant I didn't have to leave, unlike many of my schoolmates.

Dude. 'Millionaire Oppressor' is not a job.

ceadaoin. · 03-03-2017 12:28am

red ears wrote: »

It is a really tough situation, I felt for that woman talking about her mother dying and she couldn't get home. But on the other hand she is there illegal and should ordinarily be kicked out. But then again how can you kick an 11 year old american child out of america because his mother shouldn't have been there. He was born and raised there.

The child wouldn't be kicked out. If the father refused her permission to take him with her then she would have to leave her son behind. I doubt she would get back in to the U.S. ever again after being deported so her only chance of seeing him would be if the father(assuming he is American) allowed him to visit her. I would hate to live with that hanging over me

Zaph · 03-03-2017 12:29am

endacl wrote: »

Dude. 'Millionaire Oppressor' is not a job.

Quiet peasant! See, I can oppress non-millionaires too. :pac:

Illegal Irish Immigrants in the USA: What can Be Done?

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