SENATE RESOLUTION No. 91

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MAY 8, 1997

 

 

By Senators CODEY, LESNIAK and McGreevey

 

 

A Senate Resolution urging the Congress and the President of the United States to review the status of persons associated with the Irish republican movement who are facing deportation from the United States.

 

Whereas, Numerous men associated with the Irish republican movement were subjected to the military occupation of their neighborhoods and harassment by sectarian police and British soldiers as young men, were subjected to inhumane treatment while in military custody, and were convicted of political offenses without due process of law in Northern Ireland; and

Whereas, These men all served their time as political "special category" prisoners in Northern Ireland and then came to this country intending to make new lives for themselves free from religious and political prejudice; and

Whereas, These men are now facing deportation from the United States despite having resided peacefully and productively here for many years, marrying American women and raising American children in loving homes; and

Whereas, The deportation of these men would mean subjecting them and their American families either to separation or to face the real danger of political assassination, harassment and discrimination in Northern Ireland; and

Whereas, The deportation of these men would be a setback to the peace process in Ireland and is seen as unproductive and wrong by not only the Irish government but by all nationalist parties in the north of Ireland and Loyalist leaders as well; and

Whereas, An Ad Hoc Congressional Committee on Irish Affairs hearing in Washington demonstrated the support that these families have within the Irish American community and from many members of Congress; and

Whereas, Recent positive developments, including a cease-fire and a meeting between President Clinton and officials of Sinn Fein, the political branch of the Irish Republican Army, have raised hopes for a lasting peace in Northern Ireland; and

Whereas, A complete review of the status of the men described above with the goal of granting amnesty or permanent residency, in appropriate cases, is necessary in the interest of justice and may help to facilitate the peace process; now, therefore,

 

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. The Congress and the President of the United States are urged to review the status of persons associated with the Irish republican movement who are facing deportation from the United States with the goal of granting amnesty or permanent residency, in appropriate cases.

 

    2. Copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and every member of Congress elected thereto from this State.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This resolution urges the Congress and President of the United States to review the status of persons associated with the Irish republican movement who are facing deportation from the United States with the goal of granting amnesty or permanent residency in appropriate cases. A review of these cases is necessary in the interest of justice and may help to facilitate the peace process.

 

 

 

Urges Congress and President to review status of persons associated with the Irish republican movement who are facing deportation from the United States.