Bipartisan support
At a gathering of the Brehon Law Society in Nassau County, New York, on January 22, U.S. Representatives Tom Suozzi and Peter King were praised for their bipartisan support for Irish Unity and continued support for Malachy McAllister’s fight to remain in the United States. National AOH Director Dan Dennehy, left in both photos, and National AOH Treasurer Sean Pender, right in both photos, pose with Democratic Congressman Suozzi and his wife, Helene; and with NJ AOH Immigration Chair Malachy McAllister and Republican Congressman King.
The AOH National Immigration Committee continues to pursue legislation for the Irish, end visa denials for Irish people, North and South, assist Irish immigrants of all ages through support of the Irish Immigration Centers, and to help Brother Malachy McAllister and his family remain in the U.S. In 2020, the Hibernian Immigration Committee is working with the Irish embassy and consulates, Irish immigration centers, U.S. and Irish political leaders and fellow Irish American organizations on many of these goals, maintaining our position as the Voice of Irish America.
Irish Emigration Museum
Are you visiting Dublin in 2020? EPIC (the Irish Emigration Museum) is a must-see for everyone. In 2019, a new museum, EPIC, located at Customs House Quay on the Liffey River, was named Europe’s leading tourist attraction. During our family visit to Ireland this Christmas, we spent a memorable two hours experiencing this modern, interactive museum. EPIC has appeal to all ages, and it explores all aspects of Ireland, her people, and their impact on America and the rest of the world. You may even learn more about your Irish roots at its Family History Center. I highly recommend all Hibernians place this immersive museum at the top of their Dublin visit Bucket List. Learn more here: https://epicchq.com
Hibernians welcome our newest US Citizens
Across America, our Hibernian halls are centers of Irish American culture and hospitality, often the first stop for our Irish immigrants through the years. One Hibernian hall, named for our only Irish American Catholic president, John F Kennedy Division 1, regularly extends its great hospitality to immigrants from across the globe, helping them and their families celebrate a most memorable day. The Schenectady Hibernian Hall has been hosting swearing-in ceremonies for new American citizens for many years. This January, 57 new citizens were sworn in by NYS Supreme Court Judge Christine Clark. The Albany County NY, Schenectady Hibernians gave a post-swearing-in reception for the new citizens and their loved ones. We thank our brothers and sisters in Schenectady for their beautiful patriotic gesture. Visit them at www.http://aohjfk.org
Immigration Chairs
I hope every Division has named an Immigration chair; we have much work to do this year. Also, as we are in Saint Patrick’s season, we ask every Hibernian to express dismay at over 50 years of continued inequity toward the Irish in U.S. immigration law, to their legislators. An example of this: Fewer than 60 Irish applicants received DV Lottery Visas last year! We were founded to defend Irish immigrants, and our work is not finished.