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BORN AND RAISED in Limerick, where my family still lives today, I studied in Cork as well as London before heading to the US to practise law. My family always comes first, so I return home whenever I can. Recently, the harsh economic situation in Ireland has become increasingly more, therefore my most recent trip home was dedicated to lending a helping hand at the Jobs Expo in Dublin.
My office has seen a significant increase in the number of Irish people seeking economic refuge in the US. Traditionally, about 25-35 per cent of our business comes from Irish citizens looking to move and work in the US, but in the past year we have seen an unprecedented surge in Irish applicants.
In past years, it was not uncommon for young Irish people to come over to the US on J1 summer visas. However, currently it is not just the students coming over to work in bars and pubs. There is not just one demographic or age group of Irish that are heading to America anymore – there are people now applying from all fields and educational backgrounds. My office is no longer just dealing with college-aged singles. We are helping families, young people, older individuals and everyone in between.
Ireland is in an economic crisis and people are looking for a way out, regardless of age and education background. I have been working with other influential Irish nationals on lobbying a new bill for the US government. This new bill will bring much-needed help to Irish nationals. It is important to the Irish people who are at home struggling and who need job opportunities in the US like the ones our proposed bill affords.
Currently the bill is in its final stages of planning. Our proposal provides aid for both skilled and unskilled workers. With US elections upcoming, now more than ever is the perfect time to put this initiative forward. The new bill if passed would provide 20,000 visas annually exclusively to Irish people, allowing Irish nationals to lawfully work and live in the US.
Alongside lobbying this bill we have also created a petition to raise support and public awareness. Each signature brings us one step closer making this bill a law and providing Irish people the opportunities they need. You can click on this link to sign up.
People often think that it is particularly difficult to emigrate to the US. It is a common misconception that it is very difficult to for immigrants to apply – but it’s not. Every country has to have its parameters, but to enter the US you just have to do your homework and contact the right people.
Compared to some countries like Canada, where there is a cut-off point for the amount of visas given, there is no cut-off in America. Also age is not an issue (in some countries, if you are trying to get a visa you cannot be over a certain age) so in that regard it is better.
The best advice that I can give to people searching for work here is that it is much better to come over for a week and knock on doors rather than just sending CVs. People who make that effort are the people that are actually finding jobs.
Moreover, Irish-American businesses over here are looking to hire Irish people. They hear that Irish accent and they are always going to be loyal to the people back home.
In terms of American employers, I don’t think they are particularly looking to employ just Americans; they want the best person for the job. If you say to an employer that you don’t have papers yet but that you show an interest and are determined for the job then they will usually facilitate you and help you with whatever you need.
Approach Irish businesses. The common misconception is that they are just in New York and the larger cities – but there are many in other States, they are all over. They are always looking to help.
There is also a voluntary organization that is particularly helpful for those contemplating a life in the US. Set up by three Irish businessmen, failte32.org aims to help new arrivals find employment by connecting them to all the influential Irish organisations in New York in order to put them in front of potential employers.
I act as their in-house attorney and they are great at helping newcomers coming over and putting people in touch with others that can help. They are always interested in helping people out in the Irish community. For newcomers coming over it can be daunting so it is really great for people to have contacts that can help them out when they arrive.
While emigration is not the answer to Ireland’s economic woes, this initiative is a short term measure that could ease the pain for thousands who need jobs. America is not a world away, and there are people eager to help – the Irish in America will always give a helping hand to those across the pond.
Caro Kinsella is an immigration lawyer, originally from Limerick and now living in Florida. You can learn more at her website here.
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Stand by for tons of comments from smug, self important atheists ridiculing the Filipinos.
Stand by for the inevitable smug comment slamming the atheists comments.
So bloody predictable.
You just got to see the comical side of millions of people running after a piece if wood in excessive temperatures.
Whatever turns you on.
@Joe, the reason they seem ‘smug’ is because all the evidence is on their side.
It’s the same way a physicist feels ‘smug’ about some mathematical equations to send a ship to the moon…because they firmly believe the facts are with them.
Of course, they could just launch a rocket and pray….
Or, the billions of people chasing after paper.
Queuing to see Michael Jackson relics at Newbridge Silverware good queuing to see Catholic relic ………..
I bet you guys called Copernicus and Gallillio Gallilei smug too just because they had a problem with believing stuff without any evidence whatsoever.
I guess, when you have little hope to address the core of the argument with coherent points, you’re left with name calling.
Black Friday?
Ah Joe,I see what you tried to do there,with your attempt to incorporate subtle racial connotations,which in fact proves you know little or nothing about atheism.
Superstition. Hope one day they have the education to see through it
I feel sorry for these people and how they have been colonised and continue to be exploited by westerners. A pushed belief in a better afterlife is a great way of keeping the indentured slaves happy.
Rip Jesus xx
@Joe, why is an atheist seen as smug, or self important? When you have millions of people scrambling to touch a wooden statue thinking it has powers it questions many things, doesn’t the bible mention not to worship false idols, and since the main population changed to Catholicism 400 years ago, did the previous religion not work?
Faith is seen as a virtue, but I won’t apologise for looking for fact, if you see that as smug then so be it. I am not laughing at those people but sad to see that many believe is superstition in the age we live in.
Because of Eamon Gilmore he ruined it for all atheists
Could not agree more, Graham
‘Scenes reminiscent of a rock concert mosh pit’. I was at a jesus and mary chain gig at the national, kilburn. It got so rough and abusive at the front they left the stage for their own safety! Music eventually broke out but we continued to smash the shit out of each other.
Now that’s where I found religion.
Halcyon days…..
Science, b!tches!
Thoughts and, er, prayers to his family at this tough time. Xx.
Sure they’re only having the craic nothing to see here at all.
All I am thinking about is oh my goodness all them people and I for one could not be there crowds like that no thank you just looking at them gives me a panic attack. As for what anyone believes in it’s down to them I am not judging anyone.
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