Independent MEP Marian Harkin joined 2,500 Irish immigrants at a rally in Washington on Wednesday March 8th to press for immigration legislation which would legalise undocumented Irish in America who are threatened with deportation. She attended the Washington rally organised by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and said that the ability of the Irish to bring together the two most likely candidates in the next US Presidential election – Senators Hillary Clinton and John McCain to support the campaign - was testament to the ability of the Irish lobby in America.

“However as former Congressman Bruce Morrison warned the rally, the campaign would not be short or easily won”, Marian Harkin said.  She called on the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahearn to make the issue of immigrants a priority when they met President Bush in Washington in the context of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. 

In Washington Marian Harkin lobbied Senators and members of Congress to support the McCain/Kennedy bill which offers undocumented Irish the best opportunity to become legalised and work in America with the prospect of citizenship if desired.