Thousands of people marched on Washington yesterday in support of legislation that would benefit the undocumented Irish in the US, along with their 11 million counterparts of all nationalities. The ILIR gathered 2,500 supporters, mainly Irish undocumented from all over the US, to lobby members of Congress on Capital Hill and attend a rally. Democratic Senators Hilary Clinton, Edward Kennedy, and Chuck Schumer were among those who addressed the crowds.
Senator Kennedy, along with Republican Senator John McCain, will introduce legislation that includes a path to legalisation to benefit most of the nation's undocumented immigrants. He told the rally, "This is basically an issue of defining our humanity, how we treat each other. I can't wait for this battle".
The Irish Echo has reported that the introduction of the bill may coincide with next week's St Patrick's Day activities. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will visit Washington next week for the annual shamrock presentation to the US president; Mr Ahern will also be lobbying on behalf of Irish immigrants.
For more information, see the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform website.
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