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 regulations to receive a visa to Ireland or the US can be complicated, and those considering staying longer than 90 days need to learn all they can before they travel.
Irish people coming to the US can contact the Irish Immigration Centers here. Similarly, an excellent organization is available in Ireland. To learn more about migrating to Ireland, please visit Cross Care: Migrant Project here: https://www.migrantproject.ie
Irish Citizens Need Apply!
The 2020 Diversity Visa Lottery (AKA) is open to from 3 October 2018.
The DV Lottery is a green card visa lottery of 55,000 visas for the United States available annually. A computer-generated, random lottery drawing chooses the successful candidates for visas.
Although the Irish only get a handful of the 55,000 DV visas, it’s still worth applying!
This is basically the only way to get a green card by lottery, and each person can apply only ONCE. You must apply online, and there is no cost, it is free to enter, and if successful, entrants have the chance to apply for a ‘Green Card’ or permanent resident visa – which allows you to live and work in the U.S. as a legal permanent resident.
Contact the Irish Immigration Centers for more information here: www.ciic-usa.org
Find a video and complete info here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-instructions.html
It’s looking like neither party is willing to tackle US immigration before the November elections. However, after the elections, we must get to know our own legislators and speak to them from our perspective. The Irish have been on the line the longest, many of Irish undocumented have been waiting for a visa since the 1980’s! DV lottery, Morrison Visas, J1 Program and other methods succeeded with Irish American immigration advocacy. Which is why we must soon again, make the best deal possible for Irish and American people to travel to each other’s countries. Hibernians are the only group with the connectivity in towns and cities across the US to make it happen. The AOH National Immigration Committee is focused on these issues and are ready to get to work with you, our members when the time is right.
I would like to commend President Ben Coleman and his Lincoln Nebraska AOH Division for hosting an Irish Hooley to welcome immigrants. Their demonstration of Irish hospitality, an act of friendship and Christian charity towards the newest additions to their community has attracted great goodwill and positive media attention for the AOH, read here: https://journalstar.com/news/local/cindy-lange-kubick-a-warm-welcome-to-new-americans-from/article_c0aeb113-0434-5a83-838a-b96cf0739d11.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share