[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 81 (Friday, June 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE CASE OF MALACHY McALLISTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2005

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my steadfast support 
of H.R. 2827, a Private Bill for the relief of Malachy McAllister, 
Nicola McAllister, and Sean Ryan McAllister offered by my friend from 
New Jersey, Mr. Rothman. I would also like to recognize my colleagues 
Mr. Engel and Mr. King of New York for their advocacy on behalf of the 
McAllisters.
  Malachy McAllister is an Irish Catholic national who fled to the 
United States from Belfast in 1988. He left his homeland and moved to 
New York City with his wife and four children. Since then, Mr. 
McAllister has been living in the New York metropolitan area, building 
a new, safe home for his family, abiding by the laws of our land, and 
contributing to society.
  Unfortunately, the Bush administration seems intent on deporting him 
to a country where his life will be put in danger.
  While in Northern Ireland, Mr. McAllister did participate in an Irish 
National Liberation Army attack on a member of the Royal Ulster 
Constabulary and played a role in planning another attack. He was 
imprisoned from 1981 to 1985, and has paid his debt to society.
  When released from prison, he and his family were attacked by British 
loyalists who fired 26 shots into his home. After fleeing to the United 
States he applied for political asylum, which was denied to him in 2000 
and to his children and deceased wife in 2003. The McAllisters have 
appealed the decisions to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, but they 
have no further legal options if the appeal is denied.
  The House and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff should act 
to ensure that Mr. McAllister and his family can stay in America. H.R. 
2827 makes Malachy, Nicola and Sean eligible for permanent resident 
status and halts pending deportation proceedings. If Mr. McAllister is 
returned to Northern Ireland, he will be in constant and immediate 
danger of persecution because of his political and religious beliefs 
and retribution for his past affiliations.
  As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I believe the 
McAllisters should be granted political asylum. In the wake of 
September 11, we must make sure to balance security concerns with the 
historical role of the United States as a place of safe harbor for 
individuals fleeing political oppression. Mr. McAllister is the first 
person to express regret for his past actions and sorrow that they have 
led to his family's current position. He and his children deserve to 
live free of fear and continue building their American Dream.

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