Helping undocumented migrants is right thing

I READ with interest about discussions within Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens about giving legal status to up to 17,000 undocumented migrants.

I was very pleased to know that discussions were happening, and not only does this make sound economic sense, but it is the right thing to do.

I say this out of my 25 years working with the undocumented in Boston.

In the early 1990s, the Morrison Visa programme enabled thousands of undocumented Irish to regularise their status. It brought hope and great joy to the estimated 30,000 Irish in Greater Boston; no longer did they have to live an ‘underground existence’ with the fear of deportation; the fear of not being able to return home in an emergency; and not being able to advance their career. As executive director of the Irish Immigration Centre in Boston, we helped thousands of applicants secure their green card and eventually US citizenship. Many of those are leaders in their field, are very successful and contribute greatly to the US economy.

The Morrison Visa happened because of the lobbying of Irish Americans and successive Irish governments, especially during the ’80s and ’90s when an estimated 150,000 arrived in the US in search of work. The Irish Government showed it cared for the Irish abroad by funding organisations helping the undocumented Irish.

My hope is that the Government would show the same concern for the undocumented migrants who come to Ireland in search of work, work that’s essential to our economy and to caring for our most vulnerable citizens.

Migrants enrich our country and fill positions in key sectors, often in low-paid jobs where work is difficult.

Sister Lena Deevy Ballymun, Dublin