Irish pork? 'Schumer Visas' earmark more immigration - Washington DC News
1. Irish pork? 'Schumer Visas' earmark more immigration -
Washington DC News
WASHINGTON - Irish nationals seeking to enter the United States would get special treatment
under an earmarked immigration amendment by Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Over the objection of some Republicans, including Iowa's Charles Grassley, who said there was no
justification for "this special earmark for Ireland," the New York Democrat advanced his proposal to
ensure an annual, unending allocation of 10,500 "Schumer Visas" to Irish nationals.
Applicants need have no more preparation than a high school diploma or its equivalent in job
experience to qualify. The visas would be renewable indefinitely, and recipients would be allowed to
bring their spouses and children.
Schumer said it's only fair.
"This proposal addresses unintended consequences from a 1965 immigration law that inadvertently
disadvantaged Irish nationals seeking to enter the United States," Schumer said in a statement.
Plus, he explained, "Congress has already created similar programs for other allies with strong
cultural ties to the United States, such as Australia."
Jerry Kammer, an analyst with the enforcement-oriented Center for Immigration Studies, disputed
Schumer, a member of the "Gang of Eight," which drafted the omnibus immigration-reform package,
S.744, pending in the Senate.
Kammer said visa programs like those involving Australia are linked to trade agreements, typically
attracting immigrants with special skills or college degrees. The so-called "Schumer Visa" carries no
such provisions.
As for the Irish being "disadvantaged," Kammer said the island nation is on the same footing as the
rest of Western Europe.
"The 1965 act disadvantaged a lot of old immigration countries, especially in Western Europe," he
told Watchdog.org in an interview. Yet the Schumer Visa is targeted to just one nation: Ireland.
Lacking a skill-education component, the Schumer Visa will bring in immigrants who will compete
with working-class Americans at a time of high unemployment, Kammer predicted.
"This is visa pork. It's doing a favor for a politically well organized constituency," he concluded.
"This is a very poor way to run any policy, and certainly not a way to run immigration policy."
