120,000 to emigrate by end of 2011

The number of people leaving Ireland this year and next is predicted to reach 120,000, according to the Economic and Social Research Institute. See the Irish Times article.

J-1 Update

In NY, J1 students are getting their social security numbers within a week in NY this year (it was taking anything up to six weeks previously).

In San Francisco the IIPC is dong outreach in the Irish Community to assist J-1 students, some of whom have traveled from other areas in an effort to find jobs and accommodation.

A few news reports:

• East beats West for Irish J1 students in US job market
• Listening to the changing voice of Ireland
• Irish students head to US East coast for jobs

Failte 32 aims to assist newcomers in New York

A new network aimed at helping young Irish arrivals acclimate has launched in New York. Called “Failte 32″, the network hosts monthly networking events, a Monday social evening, and a drop-in center for jobseekers at O’Casey’s pub.

Visit the Failte32 website.

Irish newspaper reports on immigration to America

Catriona Palmer recently reported in the Irish Independent on an increase in immigration to the US in light of the current economic situation in Ireland.

Read the full story: “It’s not great here, but it’s better than where you are“

No more lost I-94 cards!

The use of paper I-94 forms (the green cards stapled to passports) will be eliminated for Visa Waiver travellers with an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) arriving in the United States at all aiports by the end of this summer. Automated processing will be introduced on a rolling basis at all airports over the coming months.

Read more at the Department of Homeland Security website.

Habitual residency condition resulting in benefits denial to returning immgrants

The CIIC has long been concerned that the current social welfare rules regarding residency are resulting in denial of social welfare benefits to immigrants who return from the United States.
Applicants who have lived in the US for the previous two years or more will have to show documentary evidence that Ireland is now their “center of interest.” It is important to be aware that there is a presumption that the applicant is not habitually resident in Ireland at the time of making the application until the contrary is shown by him or her. The onus is on the applicant to prove that s/he is habitually resident in the State.

Recent reports indicate that this, Habitual Residency Requirement or HRC is indeed resulting in the denial of benefits to returning Irish immigrants. The Irish Times. and the Examiner recently reported that the number of Irish citizens who were refused payments because they failed to satisfy residency requirements increased by almost 75% last year.

This is a major concern to Irish Centers here because their clients who are undocumented here do not have the option of returning to the US if they have no means of support at home. While the increase in the refusal rate in 2009 may be the result of the Government’s attempt to crack down on welfare fraud it is unconscionable to deny basic benefits to returning citizens.

If you are an Irish citizen who is intending to return home after living here for 2 years or more be sure to check out our blog to get the facts before you leave. Contact your local Irish Center for more information.

Return your census form!

Households all over the US will receive their census forms in the mail. It is very important for everyone to complete and return these forms.

The Justice Department issued welcome clarification recently on the issue of the confidentiality of census data. They said that no provision of the Patriot Act overrides the confidentiality law that protects census data.  The information provided on census forms will not be shared with any other agency, at the local, state, or federal level.

More information is available on the Census 2010 website.

Irish government provides counseling for abuse victims

The Irish Government, as part of their response to citizens who experienced abuse in residential institutions in Ireland, established the National Counseling Service in 2000. This provides counseling for those resident in Ireland who had experienced abuse as children.

It is estimated that more than 40% of those who suffered abuse left Ireland, many going to England. Services are available through the Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy in London at +44 (0207) 272-7906 or admin@icap.org.uk

In the United States there are no dedicated services but those who were abused in residential institutions are eligible to claim the cost of their counseling fees by applying to the External Counseling Claims Committee of the HSE in Ireland. If you would like to receive a copy of the guidelines, which detail how to submit a application, please email sheila@ciic-usa.org.

Prime Time examines emigration

Recently RTE’s Prime Time did a piece on emigration that is well worth watching. Siobhan Lyons from the Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia did an excellent job. You can see the program on RTE.

Be Counted in 2010

Every 10 years the U.S. conducts a census that aims to count everyone who is living in the United States regardless of their legal status or citizenship. The census data is used to inform policy decisions and determine allocation of funding for public projects.

To ensure that funds are allocated where they are needed it is important to ensure that everyone is counted. Non-profit organizations will play an important role in ensuring that immigrants who may be reluctant to come forward are included in 2010. Organizations can keep up with the latest census news and access helpful resources to help them to engage their community in the count by signing up with their Regional Census Office at www.NonprofitsCount.org