Irish politicians will hold key meetings with members of the US Congress today in an effort to win support for immigration reform.
Over 50,000 undocumented Irish people are living in the United States. The Foreign Affairs Committee says it is confident it can persuade Irish-American politicians to support the legislation.
A delegation has been holding meetings with both sides of the US political divide. The meeting comes against the backdrop of the recent US government shutdown and a dysfunctional Congress.
Back in June, a new law to give legal status to the many Irish in the US illegally was passed in the Senate by 82 votes to 15.
It seeks give legal status to people there before December 31st 2011. It would also, for the first time since 1965, open the way for up to 10,000 Irish people annually to secure a visa to legally work in the US.
US Senator John McCain has said the prospects of passing comprehensive immigration reform this year are still strong, despite some Republicans saying the government shutdown and the way it was handled affected the chance for compromise.
While earlier this week, US President Barack Obama and other leading Democrats were quick to say that an immigration overhaul should be back on the agenda in Congress.
Mr. Obama raised the issue in his first comments after lawmakers reached a deal to reopen the government.
Speaking from Washington, the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee Pat Breen says he is hopeful of a positive outcome.
