ILIR meets with Graham in effort to push reform

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC, second from left) meets (from left) Ciaran Staunton ILIR, Jim Lawracy AOH and former Rep. Bruce Morr.

The promise of immigration reform benefiting the undocumented Irish in America took a quiet but very important step forward in Washington, DC last week with a pivotal meeting between Republican leader, Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina; Ciaran Staunton, President of the Irish Lobby of Immigration Reform; and South Carolina Ancient Order of Hibernian board member Jim Lawracy. 

The meeting, also attended by ILIR consultant Bruce Morrison, discussed immigration reform proposals and their impact on the Irish American community. Sen. Graham was introduced to the Irish dimension of the immigration reform debate and urged Irish and Irish American leaders to continue to make their voices heard on the issue.

Sen. Graham, the senior Senator from South Carolina and an influential member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has again called for the passage of comprehensive immigration reform and was a supporter of the McCain-Kennedy Immigration Reform Bill of 2006, as well as the ultimately unsuccessful Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007.

Last week’s meeting was part of the ILIR effort to demonstrate the Irish dimension in the broader immigration issue to key policy makers across the United States on a state by state and bipartisan basis.

Senator Graham was unambiguous in saying that he supported both legalization for the undocumented and a targeted program for future flows from Ireland modeled on the E-3 proposal as part of comprehensive legislation. He underscored the positive contribution that advocacy by the Irish played for him in showing people in South Carolina that this issue is not just about one ethnic group. He noted that 40% of the undocumented arrived on visas or visa waivers and overstayed.

Graham and New York's Senator Charles Schumer are widely viewed as the bipartisan successors of the McCain-Kennedy partnership. Schumer, vice chairman of the Senate Democratic Conference, is in talks with Graham about teaming up to pass major immigration reform. 

“Sen. Graham is the guy,” Schumer has said bluntly. “If the administration wants to embrace immigration reform, I will try to be helpful,” said Mr. Graham. A spokesman for Mr. Graham added in a statement that "Senator Graham is ready and willing to play a key role in immigration reform. He intends to work with many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle.”

ILIR’s Ciaran Staunton welcomed Senator Graham's support as evidence of a bipartisan push for immigration reform. “Meaningful immigration reform legislation can only happen with bipartisan cooperation,” observed Staunton. “The leadership on the issue shown by Senators Schumer and Graham is crucial. The support of local, state and national members and leaders of the Ancient Order of Hibernians is an important part of this process and we are grateful for their commitment.”

Jim Lawracy, South Carolina AOH board member praised Senator Graham’s commitment. “I’d like to personally thank Senator Graham on behalf of all the AOH divisions in South Carolina for his leadership on this issue and for his understanding on how it impacts the future of Irish America.” Lawracy promised continued support for ILIR’s lobbying efforts.

A brief meeting also took place with Senator Kirsten Gillebrand (D-NY). Gillebrand promised a follow-up meeting in the near future.

As a practical matter, immigration reform proposals are in a legislative queue in Washington, DC along with health care reform and climate change legislation. Senator Schumer has indicated he still has the goal of introducing an immigration reform bill in January 2010.