Signals from the White House last week that immigration reform might be high on the agenda for the new administration could not have come at a better time for the Irish undocumented.

As The New York Times made clear in a major article last week, the flood of young Irish returning to Ireland because of recent new restrictions is at full tide, and the situation threatens the cohesion of the Irish community in New York.

Secretary of State Colin Powell and Senator John McCain, who met with President George W. Bush and discussed the issue, both stated that there was a strong likelihood that the president would move forward with the immigration agenda sooner rather than later.

It is imperative that this is done. What is on offer from the White House is three-year temporary work visa program which could likely roll over into permanent status as long as the immigrant could prove he was working and paying taxes.

The catch is that the immigrant would have to be offered the job by a specific employer, and tie himself to that job for the duration of the visa.

The good point is that if the proposal were passed it would allow immigrants to visit home and return to the U.S. completely legally, thereby removing one of the huge obstacles that many undocumented face now.

It would also solve one of the more pressing issues for undocumented in New York State where an ill-advised initiative by the administration of Governor George Pataki has resulted in many illegals fearing for their driving licenses because of new rules making it necessary to provide a valid Social Security number to maintain a driver’s license.

It is an absurd demand and leaves the general public in grave danger from undocumented who will continue to drive in order to keep their jobs, yet will be unable to find insurance as a result of this law.

That legislation is not set in stone, however, and has not been implemented yet. There are signs that increasing pressure on the governor may bring about a different outcome. 

Certainly, it seems very strange that this requirement is not necessary in many other states, and that New Yorkers as a result are being discriminated against.

The broader immigration reform picture is definitely more positive than it was before the election. It seems that Senator McCain in particular has pushed the president hard on the issue of providing some remedy for the undocumented, and that it may well have been one of McCain’s requirements for backing the president during the heated campaign.

There is a hard right lobby that wants to prevent the Bush administration from implementing any new programs to solve the issue of the undocumented. They remain vehemently opposed to any outreach to solve this huge problem.

Thus, it will be necessary for President Bush to reach out to congressional Democrats, many of whom are representing Hispanic districts where the issue of immigration is absolutely key.

President Bush did not show himself as a politician who is able to work across the aisle during his first term. This time around he has sent clear signals that he will do better in that regard. 

The hope must be that the president’s proposals are merely a starting point and that the influence of the Democrats may result in a broader liberalization of the suggested bill.

The president has stated that he intends to use up his political capitol during his second term. He will need to if immigration reform is to be achieved. 

There are few issues more pressing to the Irish community than the need for this to be addressed. The stakes have rarely been higher.