Irishman who lived in US illegally for a decade is deported

Cunningham was subject to mandatory detention and wasn’t entitled to a hearing under the terms of the visa.

But advocates of the Irish community in Massachusetts, home to an estimated 12,000 of the nation’s 50,000 Irish living in the U.S. illegally, complained the punishment overlooked Cunningham’s positive contributions.

Cunningham, who didn’t immediately comment through his lawyer, had been a past chairman of the local Gaelic Athletic Association, which organized traditional Irish sports competitions. He had also appeared on a national news show in Ireland to share his experience of living in the United States illegally months before his arrest.

But Cunningham had also had a warrant for his arrest for failing to show up in court over a $1,300 dispute with a customer.

The Boston-based Irish International Immigrant Center said it’s “a sad day when our government imprisons immigrants who contribute so much to our country and society.”

“Like so many upstanding, hardworking and decent immigrants, John’s deportation makes no sense, and we are not any the more safer for not having him here,” centre executive director Ronnie Millar said Thursday.

The Irish International Immigrant Center was among the groups that organized a rally in front of downtown Boston’s Irish Famine Memorial on Thursday in opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, including his sweeping crackdown on people living in the country illegally. Trump, a Republican, has said the policies are necessary and are meant to keep the nation safe.

By Philip Marcelo, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Irishman who lived in US illegally for a decade is deported

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