[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H2596-H2597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   URGING AN END TO DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS FOR SEVEN IRISH NATIONALS

  (Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in 
support of the seven Irish nationals residing in the United States who 
are currently facing deportation by the Immigration and Naturalization 
Service.
  While these individual cases and backgrounds may be different, they 
do share a number of important similarities. These seven Irishmen were 
convicted in British courts, with no juries. They have served their 
time and they are not wanted for any crime

[[Page H2597]]

anywhere. They are now productive, law-abiding members of their 
communities, and most importantly, they pose no threat to anyone.
  Mr. Speaker, I have met personally with the Gaynors, the Morrisons, 
the Pearsons, the Megaheys, the McErleans, the Crossans and the 
Caufields, and they have told me what this decision will mean if they 
are deported at this time.
  The election of Tony Blair as Prime Minister of Britain has restored 
a sense of hope on both sides of the Atlantic that a just and lasting 
peace can finally be achieved in the north of Ireland. I urge the 
administration to give these seven Irish-American families renewed hope 
today by ending these foolish deportation proceedings and allow them to 
live their lives out in peace and tranquility as American citizen.

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