Biden says he will ‘create a roadmap to citizenship’ for undocumented Irishmen

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE Joe Biden said he will “create a roadmap for citizenship” for 11 million undocumented people in the United States, including undocumented Irish citizens.

In a statement issued by his campaign titled ‘Joe Biden, Irish-America and Ireland’, Biden, whose ancestors emigrated from Ireland in the 19th century, said he “rejects” President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and said he will give priority to legislation to allow 11 million undocumented people to apply for citizenship.

“[Biden] will prioritize legislation to create a roadmap to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented individuals who have been strengthening our country for years and will preserve the directive of our immigration system to reunite families and enhance our diversity, ”the statement said .

There are an estimated 10,000-15,000 undocumented Irish living in the United States.

The statement continued: “[Biden] has shown leadership in immigration reform informed by empathy and understanding of the Irish experience, especially the challenge of today’s younger Irish who left Ireland during the Eurozone crisis. “

Biden, who has previously made clear his opposition to a hard border, also said he will ensure there is no trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom if Brexit puts the Good Friday Agreement at risk.

Addressing a number of other key issues, Biden said he will support the commitment “to advance the Northern Ireland peace process” and “will work closely with Ireland on the UN Security Council”, in which Ireland won a seat in June.

Biden has previously spoken of his Irish roots. During a visit to Ireland in 2016, he traveled to Mayo and Louth, from where his ancestors emigrated during the Great Famine.

Biden is currently voting ahead of Donald Trump before November 3.

“If Biden keeps these non-insubstantial leads and the Scranton native prevails in each one, he will be inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States in January,” said law professor Larry Donnelly, writing for TheJournal.ie – He said this morning.

President Trump, meanwhile, held back-to-back rallies in Michigan and Wisconsin yesterday.

Trump tried to paint Democrats as “anti-American radicals” and said that moderates had a “moral duty” to join the Republican Party.

“The Democratic Party that you once knew doesn’t exist,” he said.