February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
In her speech, Clinton alluded to the less stringent application of the law when it came to deportation cases during her husband’s presidency than is the case today.
In the history of those Irish people involved in the Troubles who come to the U.S. for political asylum or simply a new life, political support from Irish Americans and their elected representatives has always been a significant factor.
But while the McAllisters and their lawyer, Eamonn Dornan, will have cause to be happy with Sen. Clinton’s support, it’s worth remembering that the rallying of Irish Americans in support of someone in trouble with the authorities has often ended in failure – the case of Joe Doherty springs to mind.
But each case is of course unique. It seems especially egregious to us that the McAllisters are still awaiting their fate, although time has been bought with legal challenges mounted. As McAllister reminded listeners during his speech on Friday evening, “What threat do we pose to the security of this our adopted country? Some here tonight would condemn me and ignore the facts. With respect, you have not walked in my shoes.”
McAllister’s involvement in the Troubles as a member of the INLA was illegal according to the laws of the Northern Irish state in which he, an Irish Catholic, was born and raised. Yet that state also for many years routinely treated Catholics as second-class citizens. His crimes are therefore politically motivated and, moreover, in the distant past.
Less distant and less political is the continuing threat against the McAllister family by loyalist gangs, whose motivation in the Troubles is perhaps best summed up as “the only good Catholic is a dead Catholic.”
It was 1988 when their home was shot up and the police told them that they were on a loyalist gang’s hit list. The McAllisters’ wanderings started soon after, and although settled in New Jersey, they have not yet achieved peace of mind: there are serious legal struggles ahead for a family who deserves to finally settle in their adopted homeland.
With that in mind, let’s hope that Sen. Clinton’s support will bring a significant boost to the McAllisters’ fortunes.