US drops deportation orders against Irishmen
The US administration announced its decision on Tuesday 9
September to suspend deportation proceedings against six
Irishmen.
The US Department of Justice said that ``Acting on a formal
request from the Secretary of State (Madelaine Albright), the
Attorney General (Janet Reno) today suspended the removal
proceedings of certain Irish nationals who have engaged in
activity on behalf of the Irish Republican Army''. The statement
said the measure was taken to advance the Irish Peace Process and
all-party talks.
The Department of Justice statement named the six individuals as
Robert McErlean, Matthew Morrison, Gabriel Megahey, Brian
Pearson, Noel Gaynor, and Gerald McDade. The US move was welcomed
by 26-County Foreign Affairs Minister Ray Burke and by Sinn Féin
President Gerry Adams.
In a statement on Wednesday Adams said that over the last three
years himself and other Sinn Féin representatives had continually
raised the issue of Irish families facing deportation in each and
every political meeting they held in the United States. Most
recently at a meeting with President Clinton's National Security
Advisor Sandy Berger.
``The men of these families are nationalists from the north of
Ireland who have suffered under the oppresive nature of British
rule. Each man came to the United States in search of a new life,
to escape the harsh realities of life in the north of Ireland. In
America they found jobs, married, started families and worked
hard. Many of these families have been fighting their legal
challenges for years. These legal battles have taken their toll,
emotionally and financially'', Adams said.
Adams reiterated his belief that US involvement was ``crucial to
building a lasting peace with justice in Ireland''.