Bipartisan support At a gathering of the Brehon Law Society in Nassau County, New York, on January 22, U.S. Representatives Tom Suozzi and Peter King were praised for their bipartisan support for Irish Unity and continued support for Malachy McAllister’s fight to remain in the United States. National AOH Director Dan Dennehy, left in both photos, and National AOH Treasurer Sean Pender, right in both photos, pose with Democratic Congressman Suozzi and his wife, Helene; and with NJ AOH Immigration Chair Malachy McAllister and Republican Congressman King. The AOH National Immigration … [Read more...] about Immigration
Hibernians helped Tara Circle and the Emerald Isle Immigration Center Get Their Start
Hibernians helped these two Irish community support organizations get their start, now one gives the other a boost- The Tara Circle supports the Emerald Isle Immigration Center’s Woodlawn building renovation fund! Photo: Emerald Isle Immigration Center on Katonah Ave aka The Emerald Mile With the soon-to-be-expanded Woodlawn offices of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center as a backdrop, board members of two Irish community organizations serving the New York Metro area met for an exciting development! “Plans for the space renovation have been underway for a number of years, and this … [Read more...] about Hibernians helped Tara Circle and the Emerald Isle Immigration Center Get Their Start
Irish Immigration Summit at Irish Embassy
E3 Visas for Irish Revisited- House and Ways Committee Chairman US Rep. Richie Neal recently reintroduced H.R.2418 to add Ireland to the E-3 Non-Immigrant Visa. This Bill, which would allocate the remainder of Australia's 10,500 E3 visas for Irish applicants. Based on last years effort, we learned that many Congress members think Ireland has no problems getting visas to the U.S. Hibernians must educate their Congress reps that the Irish for over 50 years have been adversely affected by current rules. This Bill doesn't address issues of the undocumented and those long waiting for immigrant … [Read more...] about Irish Immigration Summit at Irish Embassy
Immigration Chairman’s Report – April 2019
It is time for a permanent solution tothe families of A Irish Deportees and the Malachy McAllister family. The Irish Peace Process is now 21 years old. Yet for these participants in the conflict, although their issues were addressed by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the dividends of Peace remain elusive. These issues are increasingly difficult for all of them, and for Malachy McAllister imminent deportation and separation from his young family are a reality. It is time that Ireland's Peace Process, which is a model for many other nations, be recognized by the Department of Homeland Security … [Read more...] about Immigration Chairman’s Report – April 2019
AOH Westchester Division 18 Peekskill Awards its Veterans
Division 18 Peekskill had a festive gathering today where it awarded Hibernian Veterans pins And a certificate to its members. These veterans participated in World War II Korea Vietnam & the Gulf Wars. You’re so welcome and I newest member Tim Murphy who received the Silverstar for valor in Vietnam. President Clive Cronin was assisted by Division 18 officers Aidan O’Kelly-Lynch state director Brian Kelly state officer and Dan DENNEHY national director. … [Read more...] about AOH Westchester Division 18 Peekskill Awards its Veterans
Immigration Report – December 2018
Ireland Gets Hibernian Help in Irish E3 Visa Push A Congressional Bill to add visas for the Irish, sails through the House, gets challenged in the Senate. At the time of writing this article, Hibernians in Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Missouri are calling on their US Senators to support nearly 5,000 bi-annual renewable visas for the Irish. Irish visa winners could bring their spouse and children to live and work in the US as part of a reciprocal deal which eases work and retirement rules and a path to Irish Citizenship for Americans in Ireland. If successful, it will be the first … [Read more...] about Immigration Report – December 2018
Yonkers 1st to Adopt McGuinness Principles
AOH efforts sees Yonkers City Council and first major city to adopt McGuinness Principles, repeating 1st to adopt MacBride Principles On Tuesday, September 25 Yonkers City Council became the first major city to unanimously adopt the McGuinness Principles. The impetus came from Myles Scully Division One Westchester and its President Kevin Ellis. The Council meeting was attended by officers and members from National, New York State and all of Westchester Counties Divisions, as well as LAOH members, officers of the United Irish Counties, Hudson Valley Irish Center, Police Emerald Society of … [Read more...] about Yonkers 1st to Adopt McGuinness Principles
Immigration Report – October 2018
I ask that each Division and State to comply with our Constitution and appoint an Immigration Chair. This chair is a resource on promoting fair and equitable immigration between Ireland and the USA and providing members with background on current Irish and US immigration policies, issues and concerns. It’s very easy for Irish citizens to visit here for up to 90 days and for US citizens to visit Ireland for the same amount of time. But what about staying longer? Or living, studying or working, here or there? That's when visas come into play and in both cases, it's not easy! The … [Read more...] about Immigration Report – October 2018
AOH National Director and Immigration Chair Report – June 20, 2017
Upsetting news deJune 20, 2017veloped in recent days as John Cunningham, a 38-year-old Donegal man, who has been an outspoken Irish immigrant advocate, leading member of Boston’s GAA, civic and business community since 1999, is facing imminent deportation after being arrested by ICE agents. Apparently, he was apprehended with cause for overstaying a holiday visa waiver many years ago. Cunningham was interviewed for a documentary on Irish Undocumented, broadcast on RTE in March, in which he may have been identifiable. We are not sure if this contributed to his arrest, but these are cautious … [Read more...] about AOH National Director and Immigration Chair Report – June 20, 2017
AOH Update – Immigration
Brothers, Irish immigrants, after centuries of British religious, economic and political oppression, contributed to the creation of this great nation. General George Washington recognized this on March 16, 1780, by declaring St. Patrick's Day a holiday for all his troops in gratitude for the courage of the Irish in his command. In 1812, we again defended America from attacks by the British. Later, our Catholic immigrants founded the AOH in America to fight discrimination, prejudice and attacks on our families, churches and religious leaders by nativists and Know-Nothings. The Medal Of Honor, … [Read more...] about AOH Update – Immigration
Immigration Report – December 2016
I wish all the Blessings of Christmas and a happy, prosperous 2017 to you and yours. This Christmas, sadly, is an anxious time for Irish Immigrants and their families. Campaign promises from the President-elect threaten programs that the Irish facilitate to work here, and deportation may separate families. We remain committed to working with US lawmakers, Irish Immigration Centers, Senator Billy Lawless, the Chicago Celts and Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson and others to promote fair and legal paths for the Irish and end the plight of the undocumented. I will be hosting conference calls and … [Read more...] about Immigration Report – December 2016
AOH NATIONAL IMMIGRATION CHAIR WELCOMES SEANAD APPOINTMENT FOR BILLY LAWLESS
As National Immigration Chair of the Ancient Order of Hibernian in America Inc., I welcome the appointment of the first ever US based Irish Senate member to represent Irish Immigrants abroad, Billy Lawless. Billy Lawless, a Chicago based, Irish born business owner and recent US citizen will represent the interests of the Irish abroad. Mr. Lawless is a tireless advocate for Irish Immigrants, and as such, an ally of the AOH in our work on the issue. Celine Kennelly, President of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers has stated that US based Irish immigrant advocates have waited and … [Read more...] about AOH NATIONAL IMMIGRATION CHAIR WELCOMES SEANAD APPOINTMENT FOR BILLY LAWLESS
Report for 2015 Fall National Board Meeting
Congrats to Brian O’Dwyer, 2015 AOH Seán MacBride Humanitarian Award Winner It was my honor to successfully nominate Dr. O’Dwyer. I have known and worked with Brian for decades, and no one is more deserving to be honored in this way. He followed in his great father Paul O’Dwyer’s footsteps and made many great strides himself. Brian’s dedication to Peace, Justice and a United Ireland, improvement of lives for people across the globe is legendary. He has both created great leadership and advised great leaders on many fronts, particularly those related in Ireland, the USA, and as Chairman of the … [Read more...] about Report for 2015 Fall National Board Meeting
AOH Immigration on Executive Action by President Obama
On November 20 2014, US President Barack Obama announced Executive Orders on Deferred Action for some immigrants. This serves as tremendous relief from threat of deportation for Irish families with US born Children. Also Irish work visa holders, as well as their spouses, now have eased ability to apply for permanent resident visas and move between jobs in the US, which was very difficult in the past. The Executive Order doesn't affect the undocumented status of those who arrived here after January 1 2010, parents of DACA eligible children or single Irish immigrants without US born … [Read more...] about AOH Immigration on Executive Action by President Obama
Immigration Chairman’s Report – February 28, 2014
Following unanimous consent from the National Board, The AOH National Immigration Committee created an Initiative to promote the Irish Perspective on Comprehensive Immigration Reform and highlight March as Irish American Heritage Month. We asked Congress to recognize the important historical role of the Irish throughout US history, and show its commitment to Comprehensive Immigration Reform by wearing an Irish American Heritage Month/Immigration Lapel Pin. The pins were presented to members of Congress along with a card stating: “In March, designated Irish-American Heritage Month since 1991, … [Read more...] about Immigration Chairman’s Report – February 28, 2014