October 3, 2025 will be a significant anniversary in the story of immigration in America.
That date will mark the 60th anniversary of the signing into law of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The signer-in-chief was President Lyndon Johnson.
The new law was supposed to change little or nothing in America's immigration story. For the Irish, it changed pretty much everything.
Long before the tenth month of the coming year the story of immigration in America will be once more subjected to profound change.
This time the signer-in-chief will be President Donald Trump.
The 47th president will stride into his second term seemingly determined to initiate the mass deportation of undocumented and illegal immigrants. He also wants to change the law as it applies to birthright citizenship.
The prospect of these presidential desires coming to fruition are, as the saying goes, putting the frighteners into the undocumented Irish population across the fifty states.
Statistical evidence is yet all but non-existent, but anecdotal evidence would suggest that more Irish people than usual are flying east this Christmas. There is a sense abroad that some of them will not be flying back west.
The return of undocumented Irish across the Atlantic to their points of origin has been ongoing for years. But this has been in part for positive reasons, not least significant economic advances on the island of Ireland.
The reasons for those giving up on their American lives this Christmas will be a good deal less positive.
The threat of "Mass Deportation" does not make for a Happy New Year.
Not that it is all to do with the threat of forced removal. The lives of the undocumented Irish have been governed for decades by the inability of Congress to come up with comprehensive immigration reform in just about any shape or form.
The consequences for America, its society and economy, as a result of mass deportation is yet to be seen. It's another story for another day.
In the meantime, those who advocate and battle for the undocumented Irish are hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.
The Coalition of Irish Centers, in its Christmas message, largely echoed this sentiment, stating in part: "This Christmas season, we want to say a heartfelt go raibh maith agat for standing with us and showing your support. It means the world to us and to so many in our community.
"As Irish immigrants, we know all too well the challenges of finding your feet in a new country. While many of us have been fortunate to navigate the system, we’re keenly aware that there are plenty still facing uphill battles. As we look ahead to 2025, we know the need to support Irish immigrants will be more important than ever, and we’re so grateful to have you by our side.
"With your help, the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers is reaching more people than ever before, offering essential services through our ten member centers across the United States. Together, we’re ensuring that no one has to face these challenges alone."
For sure and certain you would not want to face "these challenges" alone - in the year gone by, and for sure in the year ahead.
