A group organising a rally in Dublin on Saturday in support of the illegal immigrants in America is calling on their families in Leitrim to attend.

Hundreds of Leitrim natives are finding life in their adopted home increasingly difficult in the aftermath of 9/11 as US authorities have clamped down on illegal immigrants of all nationalities.

The public meeting is organised by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) to provide an opportunity for Irish families and friends to tell their stories of the human tragedy that is separating them from their loved ones in America.

A large crowd is also travelling from the US to attend, including Jimmy Gallagher, the American born son of two Leitrim natives, who has been driving the Boston action group.

Jimmy, whose mother Mai hails from outside Drumkeerin and father Jim is a Aughnasheelin native, was part of a deputation that met with President George W Bush in the White House in the run up to St. Patrick’s Day. 3,500 people gathered in Capitol Hill at the time to highlight the plight of illegal Irish in the US.

A family apart

One mother who is more aware of the difficulties than most is Margaret Hamilton from Drumkeerin. Margaret’s four children have all emigrated to the US, making lives for themselves in New York.

While Gareth (31) and Gillian (30) are legal, Samantha (27) and Crystal (26) are illegal.

“I’m lucky because I’m able to go over twice a year to visit them, but it is very difficult. Gareth – who thankfully got sponsored – was home for the first time in six years last year because he got his green card.”

Crystal risked a visit recently but was a “nervous wreck” going back while Samamtha hasn’t been home in years, Margaret said.

New York-based Barry Geoff from Ballinamore (son of Vera and Seamus) is now an American citizen, but was illegal for many years.

“Most of my friends are still illegal,” he says, “but life has become much tougher for them since 9/11. You could get away with just having a drivers licence before, but now they can’t renew them. Lots of people I know have packed it in and moved home.”

A bill before congress would create a new conditional non-immigrant status for illegal immigrants with a visa that would let them work and live in the country while they seek permanent status and eventual citizenship. Senator Paschal Mooney, and MEP Marian Harkin travelled to Washington for the ILIR lobbying day last month and are supporting Saturday’s gathering.

The rally will take place in Ballsbridge on the 14th April at Jury’s Hotel, across from the US Embassy from 1pm to 4pm.