They run their business. They tend toward bars. They pay taxes. When they are illegal in the United States, they are largely detrimental to the review of the label. But they still live in fear. They are the thousands of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States today.
The latest estimates from the Irish government show that as many as 10,000 undocumented Irish immigrants across the United States. Many have lived in the shadows for decades, waiting for a path to citizenship that may never come. And there is a new president who vows to execute The largest deportation operation Anxiety has been exacerbated in American history.
“Absolutely a worry, absolutely a worry,” New England undocumented Irish immigrant Mary told CBS News. “I’ve heard of different people, you know, stuck in a bunch of undocumented people – some of them might be criminals, but some of them might not, and it’s just a situation where they are in the wrong position at the wrong time.”
Mary and others interviewed for the story asked their full names not to be used to maintain anonymity.
Irish privilege?
Mary is worried about her identity, but she says people of color bear the brunt Immigration suppression Although she can fly under the radar.
“There are some very hard-working people who have built businesses and hired people and all of a sudden, they know, they are On a plane somewhereShe said their lives have changed and it is difficult. I will definitely feel about people. ”
Aisling, an undocumented Irish waitress in Chicago, who has lived in the United States for eight years, said that while she was worried that she might become a “collateral damage” target for the government, Ice attack Near her, mostly the target of the Latino community – she condemned racists.
“If Ireland walked into my job, I could definitely blend with the crowd, but the fear of me was being eliminated or just being in the wrong position at the wrong time,” she told CBS News.
CBS News has contacted the Department of Homeland Security to comment on how Ice conducts law enforcement operations and whether their characteristics specifically target Hispanic and Latino communities are fair.
Mick, who arrived in New York from Ireland in 2000, said public treatment of the Irish people in the United States is the opposite of what other nations face. “I once found it very unfair to hear how locals would talk about how these immigrants come here,” he explained. “I have to remind them, say ‘Hey, I’m an immigrant.’” He said, the attitude was, ‘Yes, but you’re different. ”
Mick’s first few years of residence in the United States were not recorded in the United States, but he is now a citizen and describes himself as the proud New Yorker. He said there is “wider fear” in the immigrant community now during the second Trump administration.
He said: “There are some tips posted online…if people suspect there is no document at work.
Siara, who arrived in the U.S. before President Trump took office, said she was using a J-1 visa, which allows for education and cultural exchanges but works illegally. She said there was “some safety net” for the Irish people in the hotel industry.
“This is definitely a concern [college] Education, so I think I’m in a safer position with many others who don’t have a document. ”
But, immigration lawyers told CBS News that it is naive for undocumented people in Ireland to think they can be exempted from deportation.
“When the Irish came here, they came to what we called the visa waiver program, so they could come to the United States without going to the consulate in Dublin, they could go in and stay for 90 days, so most people could [who are undocumented] Boston-based immigration attorney John Foley told CBS News.
“The exemption part means they waive all rights to judicial treatment, which means they can be evacuated or deported from the U.S. without having to be in front of a judge,” Foley said. “If you are an ice officer, you need 40 people a week, it’s Thursday and you don’t care where the last 13 come from when you’re 27.”
Contribution to the U.S. economy
Tom, the owner and law resident of the New York Bar Association, told CBS News that over the years, he has hired many undocumented Irish workers as well as undocumented Central and South American workers. He said he would not be able to operate as a business owner without them.
“I would say that if you take it away, 90% of the restaurants and small businesses in this city will be closed [undocumented] “Immigration. Those who want to do these jobs are people who have no clear legal path to enter the United States,” Tom said.
The U.S. Immigration Commission estimates show that U.S. undocumented immigrants paid $75.6 billion in taxes in 2022. This includes $29 billion in state and local taxes and $46.6 billion in federal taxes.
Aisling in Chicago said her colleagues at the bar where she works mostly have no documents.
“Basically, the business depends on…the people who apply for jobs here, not Americans come in and apply. They don’t want to do these jobs,” she said.
Legal access to undocumented immigration is limited
Mary arrived in the United States in 1999 in New England. During her 26 years in the United States, she has become an owner and is a self-employed person. For the past 14 years, she has been trying to obtain sponsorship of legal residence through legal petitions from her brother (U.S. citizen). This process is still pending. Without eyes.
“There is no chance,” she said. “There is no road for me right now.”
This is the problem faced by many undocumented immigrants working in the United States today, and few people there Legal approach and where they do, A lot of backlog Bureaucracy can lead to long-term delays in processing.
The Cato Institute’s 2023 policy analysis says less than 1% of people want to move to the United States permanently.
A young Irish woman with visa exemption in New York is too high and now working at a bar in Manhattan told CBS News that she just wants to work, but has limited access.
“I want to be legal and have legal status, but overall it’s hard to get a visa, and I feel it’s hard to consider trying to get a visa right now,” she said.
Mick, who eventually obtained citizenship, said he would provide amnesty for people without criminal convictions who live illegally in the United States and contribute to the community.
“Many people who come to our country and our shores come here because of the policies we allow and have benefited us for decades,” he said. “I feel we should take care of those who need help the most. I have never encountered any evil, annoying people who have ever encountered any evil, annoying people. Eat dogs and cats Who is here legally or illegally. ”
Oval office meeting with contradictory views
When President Trump meets with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin on Wednesday, he will continue his annual Oval Office tradition, with the White House hosting Irish Taoiseach or leaders in honor of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Prior to that event, the White House praised Emerald Island’s historical contribution to the United States.
“Irish Americans play a vital role in our great American story – the courage to overcome adversity and hardship, incite our culture, revitalize our spirits, and enhance our way of life,” Mr. Trump said in a statement issued by the White House.
However, there may be some huge differences in the handshake and clover.
Despite Mr. Trump’s vow to evacuate millions of undocumented immigrants, the Irish government has lobbied for years to comprehensive immigration reforms that will legalize undocumented Irish workers in the United States
Emmet Lyons
