It doesn’t take too many people to fill the meeting room of the Immigration Center of Philadelphia. It’s probably a sign of the intense interest in President Obama’s executive action on immigration that that’s exactly what happened Monday night when three immigration lawyers took part in a meeting to answer as many questions as they could about the new policy. About 40 local Irish immigrants sat in rapt interest, posing questions, and occasionally raising fears.
The No. 1 question on most people’s minds, said attorney Shelley Grant is, “do I qualify?”
President Obama’s overall guidelines are clear, but the details are murky. “What they did was give a broad overview until they come out with specifics,” Grant said. “That’s when I’ll be able to sit down with people and see if they qualify.”
Depending on how that question is answered, deportation will—or will not—be deferred for Irish immigrants who remain undocumented. Precisely how many of those there in the United States are isn’t precisely known. The number 50,000 has been batted around, with New York City and Boston likely accounting for the lion’s share, but it isn’t a recent estimate—and many Irish returned home when the nation’s economy took off during the heady Celtic Tiger days, so it could be less.
Some things are clear.
For example, Grant explained, to be eligible, “you can’t be a law enforcement priority.” That category generally includes obvious threats to the nation’s peace and security, such as terrorists, and immigrants who are in street gangs or who take part in organized crime. (According to a White House fact sheet, “recent border crossers” are also considered candidates for immediate deportation.)
If you have a criminal problem, the lawyers suggested, consult an attorney soon.
And while the details remain to be worked out, the president’s overall guidelines also are clear. To be eligible to be allowed to remain in the United States, free from hassle by the Immigration enforcement authorities, adults must have been in the United States at least five years, and have children who are U.S. Citizens or legal residents.
“Start going through everything you are going to need to prove you have been here since before 2010,” said attorney Audrey Allen. That could include such documents as bank statements, phone bills, rent receipts, and pay stubs.
Additionally, start rounding up documentation to prove citizenship of your children, such as birth certificates and school records.
Children who might be eligible for the expansion of the DACA program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) must prove they arrived in the United States before they turned 16. They too must have been in the U.S. for at least five years, Most important, they need to be in school, have graduated high school, or have completed a GED. Alternately, they need to have completed a tour of military service. Records of high school graduation of a GED are going to be important. If a child who entered the U.S. illegally before the age of 16 hasn’t got a high school diploma, better look into a GED.
One big question on many minds was this: Will I be able to travel back home?
The answer so far seems to be yes, but only under strictly defined circumstances.
“If anybody thinks you can travel, you can’t just travel,” said Grant. Travel will only be permitted for specific approved reasons, such as education, work, or humanitarian circumstances, such as a family funeral, added attorney Tom Griffin. Those who qualify will be provided documentation which they must present upon their return to be readmitted into the United States. “It’s not a vacation,” Griffin said. “”It’s like permission to come back.”
One other worrying concern: Will I place myself in jeopardy in the long term if I identify myself to the authorities in order to qualify for this program? After all, under the terms of this executive action, deportation is only deferred for three years at a time. And if the next president nullifies the action, it’ll wind up being less. And in the meantime … the authorities know who you are, and where to find you.
Attorney and Irish immigrant Tom Ivory admitted it’s a risk to apply, but what he called “a reasonable risk.”
Why? Because, in likelihood, if you are a hard-working, law-abiding immigrant—albeit undocumented—the government has bigger fish to fry.
“They have your name and address,” Grant explained. “But based on past experience, you’re not a priority. They’re after criminals.” However, she added, that does not mean there is no risk.
It’s also important to remember that this program is not a path to citizenship, but there’s always hope. “The next step is usually to have something more expansive,” said Allen. “The hope is that this will spur some real political action.”
The Irish Immigration Center will continue to host informational gatherings as the president’s wishes are translated into action.
Dancers like these are competing in Philly this weekend.
It being Thanksgiving weekend, downtown Philadelphia is alive with the sound of Irish music. The Mid-Atlantic Oireachtas (o-rock-tas), the regional Irish dance championships, draws dancers from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware to Philly each year for three days of hard-fought competition. It’s fun to watch even if you don’t have a dancer competing. Actually, I think it’s more fun if you don’t–it must be tense for the moms and dads.
Next weekend, American Celtic Christmas comes for the third time to Bensalem High School. Featuring Jamison, John Byrne, Raymond Coleman, Bob Hurst of the Bogside Rogues, singer Kim Killen, and more than 100 dancers and other performers.
The John Patrick Shanley play, “Outside Mullingar,” is continuing its run at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on South Broad Street in Philadelphia.
Also continuing: the going-out-of-business sale at McKenna’s Irish Shop in Havertown, where new discounts are in effect.
Barlyejuice is playing the World Café Live on Saturday night at 8 PM. Jamison is at Curran’s Tacony starting at 9:30 PM Saturday.
On Sunday, Gabriel Donohue, John Byrne and other musicians will be playing live in studio for the last pledge drive of the year for WTMR’s “Come West Along the Road” Irish Radio Hour, which starts at noon. The station is at 800 AM and is available online.
On Wednesday, Paul Byrom of Celtic Thunder will be on stage at the Sellersville Theatre where he’ll be performing tunes from his holiday album, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” to get you in the mood.
On Friday, Carbon Leaf, the Virginia-based indie band known for its folk- and Celtic-infused rock, will be at World Café Live.
Also on Friday, the City Theater Company is producing James Joyce’s “The Dead” at The Black Box at OperaDelaware Studios in Wilmington, DE.
Along with An American Celtic Christmas next weekend, keep three other events on your radar:
First-rate trad fiddler Kevin Burke will be performing solo at the Coatsville cultural Society in Coatesville on Saturday night.
The Philadelphia Rose Center’s Christmas Celebration on December 7 at The Saturday Club in Wayne, featuring arts and crafts, music by Karen Boyce McCollum and “The Lads” (Pat Close and Pat Kildea), and a special visit from Santa who is sure to be upstaged by International Rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh, because, well, she’s charming and she can do that.
The Divine Providence Village Rainbow Irish Step Dancers, a group of developmentally disabled women who live at the Catholic institution in Elverson, will hold their Christmas recital at the Masonic Lodge in Prospect Park on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 2:30 to 5 PM. Doors open at 1:30 for a baked goods sale and Santa will be available to hear your wish list from 1:30 to 2:15, when he’s expected elsewhere.
President Obama preparing his address with speechwriters
What does it all mean?
On the one hand, President Obama’s decision to use his executive authority to address the long-simmering issue of immigration should bring some measure of relief to more than 5 million of the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
Under the plan as it is so far understood, roughly 4 million undocumented immigrants would have deportation deferred for three years if they:
Are parents of American citizens or Green Card holders (legal permanent residents).
Have lived in the U.S. for at least five years.
Register.
Pass a criminal background check.
Pay taxes.
Many also would receive work permits, and a Social Security number. Most important to many, they might be able to travel to their home countries and return.
Additionally, the Deferred Action for Children (DACA) program would be expanded. DACA defers deportation of undocumented children and young adults, and provides access to two-year renewable work permits and Social Security numbers. Just over 1 million young people are eligible for DACA. Under the president’s plan, 300,000 more would be eligible.
On the other hand, the devil’s in the details—and a lot of the details of implementation aren’t clear yet. What’s more, there are at least two wild cards in the mix. We don’t know whether the next president will keep the new policies in place, and Republicans in Congress opposed to the president’s actions are likely to take action to prevent implementation.
Additionally, it’s a temporary measure, and does not provide a path to full U.S. citizenship. As Obama put it: “All we’re saying is, we’re not going to deport you.”
For now, though, says Siobhan Lyons, director of the Irish Immigration Center of Greater Philadelphia, it’s a noteworthy advance. “Overall, it’s good news, and a step in the right direction. In the next few months, we’ll find out how they’re going to implement what President Obama said. I hope it presses our representatives in Congress to do the right thing. It’s time we had a proper discussion.”
Exactly how it will all play out is still a matter of concern, especially since actual implementation won’t happen until the spring.
One of the most pressing concerns, Lyons added, is the ability “to travel back and forth, both for joyous occasions, and for sad occasions like family funerals.” There are questions, too, about how that provision that might be implemented, It has always been a critical concern of the Irish government.
To make a start on answering those questions, the Immigration Center is hosting an informational meeting Monday night at 6:30. Three immigration lawyers will be on hand: Shelley Grant, Audrey Allen, and Tom Griffin. If you’re interested, there’s no need to call. Just show up. You should also keep an eye on the Immigration Center’s Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/icphila This is going to be the first of several steps to bring clarity to the situation as it progresses.
For now, it’s important tor undocumented Irish—of which there are close to 50,000 in the U.S.—to pay close attention to this issue, and where it’s going, and not to take actions prematurely, Lyons says. “There are going to be specific requirements and forms,” she says, but exactly what they’re going to be, no one knows yet. “Don’t just rush off. Try to get information from the Irish Immigration Center or immigration lawyers. We all need to be on the same page.”
The president’s invitation to “come out of the shadows and get right with the law” is welcome and long awaited, but Lyons counsels patience. “It’s great news, but right now, everybody needs to stay calm and carry on.”
The Immigration Center is at 7 South Cedar Lane, Upper Darby, PA 19082.
Last month, Malala Yousafzai became the youngest person, at age 17, to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her devoted advocacy in her mission to ensure that all females around the world have the right to an education. Her story has become a rallying cry and she is known around the globe. Born in Pakistan, her town was taken over by the Taliban, and the school founded by her father, Ziaudden Yousafzai, was threatened because girls were allowed to attend. Malala became targeted personally for her passionate stance, and was shot in the head in an assassination attempt as she rode the bus home from school. Not only did she survive the attack, but she has taken her fight against the Taliban’s position worldwide. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif commended her as the pride of Pakistan and encouraged: “Girls and boys of the world should take lead from her struggle and commitment.”
And that’s exactly what the girls at Mount Saint Joseph Academy, commonly referred to as “The Mount,” in Flourtown, PA, did. “You’re never going to hear a teacher here who tells you your ideas are too big. Nothing’s ever too big. And that’s just what you get in every single class…they say ‘I support you. Go for it,'” explained senior Jess Tyrrell.
So when the 16 students in the 20/20 club (an organization that’s committed to solving 20 global problems over a span of 20 years) at the all-female Catholic high school read Malala Yousafzai’s autobiography “I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban” last spring, it was the club’s advisor Kate Shevlin who encouraged the girls to reach out to Malala.
Colleen McBride, one of the members of the club, had just been elected student body president for the 2014-2015 school year. With the theme of “Bring a Whole New Spirit to the Mount” in mind, Colleen knew this was a big idea and she ran with it.
“Reading her book, and realizing that she was our own age, and that even though she’s across the world we can still connect to her, I knew there was something to this, that this is happening for a reason. Our mission at The Mount is ‘On the education of women largely lies the future of society,’ Colleen said. “Then we realized she was coming to Philadelphia and it became real, it became an attainable goal.
“We decided we wanted to ask Malala to come to The Mount, and when we found out she was going to be receiving the Liberty Medal here, we began brainstorming. Even though this was in June, we knew October 21st was going to be here before we knew it. We decided to make a video, and we spent the whole week of July 4th filming and putting it together.”
Katie Mars, another student in the group, came up with the video’s tag line, “Malala is…” and all the girls then took it from there.
“We were talking about it, and I went home and decided to write a reflection. I write poems and reflections when I have spare time and feel inspired, and it all just sort of happened,” Katie explained.
With the video finished and on YouTube, they began an ardent twitter campaign at https://twitter.com/mountformalala to get their message to Malala. “We tweeted directly to Malala, and everyday we would have a tweet dedicated to her—like a picture of her, or a quote, and then throughout the day we would post the video saying ‘We made this video for Malala, we stand in solidarity with her, education first.’ And then we would do small stuff; for her birthday, July 12th, I made her cupcakes that said ‘Mount for Malala’ on them and posted the photo, and that was the first favorite [on their twitter account] we got directly from her,” Colleen said.
“Eason Jordan, the director of operations and communications of the Malala Fund, he reached out to my account and the Mount for Malala account,” Colleen relayed. “First they said thank you for this inspirational video, so we knew they had actually seen the video. And then he tweeted to me and said, ‘Would you be able to have a phone chat tomorrow regarding Malala’s Philadelphia visit?’ so the next day I was sitting here in this room and Eason said ‘Malala and the Malala Fund are so impressed with your efforts.’ We had worked so hard, and it was a huge group effort and then to hear that they’re impressed—and they’re inspired by US–when we’re so inspired by THEM, it was just an incredible thing.”
Although due to time constraints and security issues, Malala wouldn’t be able to schedule a visit to The Mount, the 16 girls all got an invitation to attend the Liberty Medal Ceremony.
Colleen was further blown away when Eason told her, “Five girls will be onstage at the ceremony to read blogs and then greet Malala, and the Malala Fund has chosen you to be one of those girls.”
“That was such an honor for me,” Colleen said. “Because it wasn’t just for me. I was representing the whole school on that stage, and I wore my uniform. And I know Malala loves her uniform, so I was really proud to be up there representing The Mount. I sat right behind her onstage. We stood and greeted her, and that was the first time we made eye contact. I was just beaming and it was just an overwhelming experience. I read her excerpt about when the Taliban first came to her village, and the artillery fire she and her friend heard as they were doing their homework. They thought it was a normal day, and weren’t really focused on it. Then it talked about her blog, and how no one could know it was written by her.”
Although the other girls weren’t onstage, they did meet Malala as part of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit before the actual ceremony. As they waited for Malala to meet them, “the energy was just amazing,” Jess said. “The room went completely silent the second she walked in. I’m pretty sure everyone was just staring because she just walks in and she’s this larger than life figure.” Katie further described the moment, “She took the entire presence of the room, and everyone was focused on her. Though she’s very small in stature, she has such a big presence. And she’s just so humble as well. She’s accomplished so much but she just came in and shook hands with every single person in the room.”
“We met her dad as well,” Jess went on. “He’s much more talkative than she was. He said, ‘Yes, my daughter has this opportunity to go and spread her message, but it’s left to people like you to spread it around.’ He’s saying that every single girl is inspirational, and to hear that from someone whose daughter is the biggest inspiration in the world was so encouraging. He believes we can be like her without having the kind of situation she’s suffered. It just takes the courage to stand up and go for it.”
For Katie, Ziaudden Yousafzai’s message was just as powerful. “He said, ‘Every girl is special.’ A Nobel Peace Prize winner’s father is telling me I’m special. Sometimes you forget that. It’s not about me personally being special, but everyone, even the girls who feel forgotten, they ARE special. It really brought new light to my eyes.”
The experience has been a life changing one for all the girls.
Colleen explained, “I went home that night thinking, okay, Malala came here to Philadelphia and she inspired us so much. Now she has left and she’s going on to other countries, but we have the obligation to carry out her message here in the United States. We’re a developed country—and she works to help girls in countries that aren’t developed—but we still have those problems here. We want to continue her mission. I envision all teen-age girls coming together and really being supportive of one another, and being able to create a network where we can be there for one another.”
“We want to start a new initiative here in the schools in Philadelphia,” Jess said. “Malala’s focused on the big picture, so if we start working towards doing little things and make a difference on a local level, hopefully that will spread all over the country. The Philadelphia school system is the perfect example because it’s just in crisis right now. But every single voice that stands with us for the Philadelphia schools counts. Malala said, ‘When the whole world’s silent, one voice becomes powerful’ and you can imagine how many voices we can raise for the schools here.”
“We’re brainstorming right now,” Colleen revealed. “We’re an all-girls school, and there are many like us in our area and we’d like to come together, including girls in co-ed schools that share the same message. By coming together, and starting an organization, we can have an impact in Philadelphia and help here. And then if other schools around the country do this, and they can focus locally, it’s really a national impact. We’re thinking, start local, think global.”
And they all have plans to continue their mission beyond their 2015 graduation.
“I’ve completely transitioned,” Colleen said. “I was always into science, and last year I thought I wanted to be a nutritionist. That was my goal, and I still love science, but being elected president, and then being in this initiative, I’ve really embraced my leadership skills and my creativity. I now see myself focusing on an emphasis on education, and the whole planning process within the community and carrying out a mission of women’s education.”
With Jess, the experience solidified her plans for the future. “I’ve always wanted to major in foreign affairs, with a minor in communication. So, what I’ve realized now is that I want to be an advocate for countries like Pakistan, for these countries that don’t have nearly the rights we have.”
And Katie is still up in the air, but is “looking into public policy and political science, maybe even going into the government realm or the non-profit realm—an area where I can help girls in this country who are struggling for an education…I would even love to be President one day—set your hopes and standards high! I’ve got a few years.”
Wherever they end up individually, they all see themselves coming together again in the future to continue their mission. Colleen summed it up: “I think it’s exciting because we all took this initiative and we’re running with it now with our futures. And I feel like we’re all going to go our separate directions, but say, Katie’s in politics, and I’m staying here in America helping, and Jess is in Pakistan, and we can all come together. Because it all started at The Mount, and that’s what’s wonderful here. They say we create founders here, and the sisterhood is just so strong here. I came in as a freshman not knowing anyone and I’ve transformed. I think it goes to show that at The Mount it doesn’t matter who you are, we all come together. We all grow into leaders and founders.”
With this determination and drive, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see these women accepting their own Nobel Peace Prizes one day in the not so distant future.
Catch John Byrne and his band this weekend in Lancaster.
A new festival—new to us, anyway–joins the Celtic scene. The Rose and Shamrock Celtic Festival is this weekend in Lancaster (at Tellus360 and The Ware Center) and features some Philly stars, including the John Byrne Band and the Birmingham Six, as well as Burning Bridget Cleary, Charlie Zahm, the Kilmaine Saints and more.
There will be workshops at The Ware Center , including how to play the bodhran and the tin whistle, as well as lectures on Duffy’s Cut and poetry readings. Of course, there are vendors (Christmas is coming!), food and drink.
Speaking of Christmas, McKenna’s Irish Shop in Havertown is closing and every week stock dwindles and prices go down. Make sure you stop in before it’s gone forever!
On Monday, join Maureen Faulkner, widow of slain Philly police officer Daniel Faulkner, at the Irish Pub in Philadelphia for a fundraiser for the Fraternal Order of Police Survivors Fund. Maureen will be one of the guest bartenders.
The night before Thanksgiving (Wednesday) I will be baking and cooking. Others will be performing, including the Shantys at Paddywhacks on Welsh Road in Philly; Slainte at Curran’s in Bensalem, and Enter the Haggis will be in concert at the Sellersville Theater.
On Friday, the play, “Outside Mullingar,” by John Patrick Shanley, opens on stage at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on South Broad Street in Philadelphia, a production of the Philadelphia Theatre Company. Use the code “irishphilly” to get a $10 discount on every full-priced ticket. It’s very likely you know John Patrick Shanley’s work: he wrote Doubt, which was a movie starring Meryl Streep, and Moonstruck, the Cher-Nicholas Cage classic. Check our calendar for dates and times.
On Saturday November 29, the Donegal Ball and the Mary from Dungloe selection takes place at The Irish Center. (I’m a Mary judge this year, so I hope to see some of you there!) Also on Saturday: Barleyjuice is at World Café Live, the Broken Shillelaghs are at McMichael’s Pub in Gloucester City; and Jamison is at Curran’s in Tacony.
And when we at irishphiladelphia.com give our thanks for our many blessings on Thursday, we’ll be including you.
We always knew Philly was an Irish town, but even we were surprised at how Irish. And not just the city, but the surrounding counties. We’re all over the place. It’s almost an infestation. In a good way.
No big surprise to those of us who cover Irish doings in the area, but Delaware County is the area’s Irish capital. The other counties have a pretty fair representation, too.
But what’s it all look like in one quick snapshot view? We’ve banged together a neat infographic that should provide you with the highlights. If there’s a pop quiz later, you’ll pass.
If you have a blog of website of your own, feel free to steal embed it. It’s easy to add to Facebook, twitter, and Pinterest, too, so feel free. Just click on the easel.ly link at lower left below the infographic. easel.ly
These two remarkable musicians will be joined by All-Ireland fiddler Dylan Foley in concert on Saturday.
After a jam-packed week last week, this one is relatively tame, but still filled with some wonderful ways to be Irish.
All-Ireland fiddle champ Dylan Foley of The Yanks will be performing at a Philadelphia Ceili Group house concert on Saturday night with two topnotch trad musicians, Rose Conway Flanagan from Cherish the Ladies, and flute player Laura Byrne.
On Sunday night, they’ll be dancing the night away to the Theresa Flanagan Band at McGillcuddy’s in Upper Darby. Unless they’re in Wilmington, in which case they’ll be dancing the night away at the ceili at Wilmington’s Irish Center.
On Tuesday, join genealogist John McDevitt at the Irish Immigration Center in Upper Darby for more tips and tricks to finding your Irish ancestors, including the ones that don’t want to be found.
On Friday, St. Patrick’s Church in Norristown is holding an oldies night hosted by the AOH/LAOH Notre Dame Division 1. You don’t have to be an oldie to go—this term refers to the music. There will be food, beer, wine and setups, all for $25, most of which will go to local charities, because that’s what the AOH/LAOH does. We love them for it.
A heads up for next Monday, November 24: Maureen Faulkner, widow of the late Daniel Faulkner, who was killed in the line of duty, will be guest bartending at The Irish Pub on Walnut Street in Philadelphia to help raise money for the Fraternal Order of Police Survivors Fund. Great place, great cause.
Check our calendar for more details and for any late-breaking events. Or join our Facebook Irish Philadelphia group, where we post updates. We’re approaching 5,000 members. Shouldn’t you be one of them?
The Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association carefully matched its parade theme to its selection of grand marshal this year. The parade will honor families, and its grand marshal, Kathy McGee Burns, has a huge one: She’s the mother of nine children.
But there’s far more to Burns than motherhood on a grand scale. She sits on the boards of most of the Irish organizations in Philadelphia—and has headed most of them at one time or another. She has served as president of the Donegal Association, the parade board, is currently the president of the Delaware Valley Hall of Fame (which inducted her into the hall in 2012), and serves on the boards of the Irish Center, the Claddagh Fund, and the St. Malachy’s School Advisory Board. She was the driving force behind the direct mail campaign to raise money for the Irish Center this year and has thrown her support—financial and otherwise—behind the Duffy’s Cut project, whose board she now sits on. In 2010, she was one of the first recipients of the Inspirational Irish Women awards.
Read more about the woman who will be leading the parade here.
The parade will be held rain or shine on Sunday, March 15.
It doesn’t take too many people to fill the meeting room of the Immigration Center of Philadelphia. It’s probably a sign of the intense interest in President Obama’s executive action on immigration that that’s exactly what happened Monday night when three immigration lawyers took part in a meeting to answer as many questions as they could about the new policy. About 40 local Irish immigrants sat in rapt interest, posing questions, and occasionally raising fears.
