Morrison Visa
The new Morrison visa program is very likely to be a multi-application process to begin in June and a “window period” similar to the Donnelly visa period for applications will be announced, it was reported in an exclusive to the Irish Voice newspaper as we go to press. It is expected that entries will be sent to a P.O. box number in Washington, D.C., where the applications are expected to be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis between certain dates.
All processing will be done by mid-July and notifications of interviews for the visas will then be sent out. Interviews for those called for the visas are set to begin on October 1.
It is also believed that a fee will not have to accompany the applications, and that only those called for interview will have to pay a registration amount. The new rules are expected to minimize the activities of unscrupulous lawyers, one of whom was exposed by the Irish Voice for charging $795 to process Morrison applications. A simple application form containing the name and address of the applicant will suffice.
The Donnelly visa period resulted in over 21,000 or 40 percent of the total number of visas going to Irish applicants.
With the Morrison program a minimum of 48,000 visas have been set aside, at 16,000 per year over three years, for applicants from the Irish Republic. The visas, officially known as AA-1 visas, will mean that 72,000 will become available over the next three years, at 24,000 per year for 36 other countries, including the United Kingdom, under which Northern Irish applicants will be registered. The visas are called after Bruce Morrison, the former Connecticut congressman who spearheaded the immigration reform bill which was signed into law by President Bush late last year.
It is crucial that those living here presently who want to legalize their status take advantage of this opportunity.
To receive up to date information call: The Emerald Isle Immigration Center at 718-478-5502.
An All-Irish Presidential Ticket?
There is speculation that two Irish Americans may head up the Democratic presidential ticket in 1992.
Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska, whose grandparents are from Ireland, and Senator George Mitchell of Maine, whose father is from Ireland are considered to be two of the front runners.
While the Democrats may have only an outside chance in 1992, the candidate who comes out of the pack could be in a very strong position in 1996.
Irish Americans and Talks on Northern Ireland
Several Irish American groups have asked British Prime Minister John Major for an all-out party conference to decide the future of Northern Ireland.
The organizations include the Committee for Ulster Justice, American Irish Political Education Committee, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Brehon Law Society, Irish American Labor Coalition and the Irish American Unity Conference.
In a telegram to Major the groups said that they are “united in their efforts for a peaceful solution that must begin without excluding any of the affected parties involved in the conflict.
“We urgently request that your government respond positively to the offer of an all-party conference to include all political parties without preconditions to deal with the tragic conflict that bedevils Anglo-Irish relations.
“It is long past time to recognize that occupational forces, whether in Kuwait, the West Bank, the Baltic States or in Ireland only postpone the day of justice, reconciliation, unity and peace.”
Donnelly Steps Down
Congressman Brian Donnelly from Massachusetts has relinquished his chairmanship of the Congressional Friends of Ireland Committee.
He served as chairman for four years.
The Congressman from Dorchester, whose efforts on the immigration front resulted in the legalization of thousands of Irish, said in a letter to House Speaker Thomas Foley that his duties on the House Ways and Means Committee would prevent him from devoting a proper amount of time to the Friends group.
During his tenure as chairman the Friends of Ireland made a significant contributions on such issues as the International Fund for Ireland, immigration and the case of the Birmingham Six.
Donnelly suggested that the term for all succeeding chairmen should be a maximum of four years. “This change would place the chairmanship on a rotating basis, and would give all members of Irish descent the same experience and opportunity I had to help the land of my ancestors.”
The Friends of Ireland group was founded in 1984 by then House Speaker Tip O’Neill, former New York Governor Hugh Carey and Senator Edward Kennedy.
Irish Diplomatic Changes
Irish Ambassador to the United States Padraig MacKernan is to become Ireland’s Ambassador to the European Community and Irish Consul General in New York Daithi O Ceallaigh will become Ambassador to Iraq as a result of a major reshuffle by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.
The appointment to Iraq of Daithi O Ceallaigh confronts him with one of the toughest diplomatic assignments available.
Prior to the Gulf War, Ireland had a profitable beef export trade going with Iraq and it remains to be seen if these contracts will be renewed in the coming years.
O Ceallaigh was an immensely popular Consul General in New York, especially in terms of promoting Irish culture. MacKeran during his extended term in Washington proved to be a very able and popular Ambassador and is credited with reestablishing ties with many Irish American groups.
Irish Lawyers Triumph
The Irish Lawyers Association of New York recently made a marked impact on the U.S. legal world when the association successfully persuaded the New York State Court of Appeals not to accept a New York Bar Association proposal to change the rule permitting Irish law graduates to sit the New York bar exam without further graduate study in the United States.
Founded in 1987, the Irish Lawyers Association draws most of its membership from Irish-trained lawyers now practicing with New York law firms. “In the near future we hopeto expand to include U.S.-trained lawyers with an interest in the association activities,” says spokesperson Brian Havel, who spearheaded the group’s recent success.
AOH Into the Future
Division Eight of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Lawrence, Massachusetts, not only maintains a formidable program of Irish lectures, Irish language classes, a lending library and the more usual programs of Irish organizations, but also offers a video club of Irish videos for its members.
A 25 page catalog lists videos under the headings: mu-sic; instruction in traditional instruments; Northeast travelogs; Irish documentaries; Irish comedies; Irish language lessons; genealogy; sports; miscellaneous cultural; and a series of twelve videos covering the history of Ireland from the Celts to the present.
Members in good standing may borrow videos free.
Division Eight is to be complimented on this highly sophisticated effort in adult Irish education and the challenge they present to other Irish organizations.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the May 1991 issue of Irish America. ♦
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