Irish P.M. Thanks Obama for Exec. Amnesty, Tells Congress To Enact Immig. Reform

ENDA KENNY, prime minister of Ireland: "We thank you in particular, Mr. President, for the work you are doing to achieve immigration reform, and in particular, for the executive actions you announced last November. The undocumented Irish represent a small proportion of the people affected by this issue across the United States, but I can also tell you that almost every family in our country, is related to, or knows somebody, who is caught up in this deeply distressing situation. Any progress that would allow our undocumented to come out of the shadows and be free to travel home for family events would be very welcome. And your very welcome Ambassador Kevin O'Malley understands this deeply from his own, on his own personal family side. We also want to see a legal pathway for the future, for Irish people to make their full contribution here, if they so choose. I can assure you this evening, Mr. President, that we will continue to add our voice to the many voices calling on this Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform as soon as possible."