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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR will seek to get an update from President Donald Trump on the situation facing the undocumented Irish in America while on his St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington.
Varadkar will commence his US St Patrick’s Day trip in Washington DC today.
Speaking ahead of the trip, he said he will use his meetings with President Trump and other senior US politicians “to emphasise the strength and importance of Irish-US bilateral relations, particularly our economic ties”.
He added: “I intend to discuss issues including EU-UK relations, Northern Ireland and the US role in protecting the Good Friday Agreement.”
A bill which could give Irish citizens access to thousands of US visas every year was passed by the US House of Representatives on Monday.
The plan to add to the E-3 visa programme will now be voted on by the US Senate.
Varadkar said: “There was positive news this week in relation to the legislation to expand the E3 Visa programme, and I look forward to getting an update on how we can resolve the situation facing the undocumented Irish in America.
“This is a relationship that cannot be taken for granted and I intend to use my visit to Washington DC to deepen these ties, while also promoting EU-US relations.”
Varadkar will attend the traditional Irish Funds Gala and the House Speaker’s luncheon on Capitol Hill.
President Trump will not be attending the lunch, which is being hosted by the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Trump has blamed his non-attendance at the lunch on Ms Pelosi, pointing to the impeachment inquiry launched by the Democrat-led House last year.
Later on Thursday afternoon, Varadkar will join Trump and his wife Melania for the traditional Shamrock Ceremony at the White House, and will attend the Ambassador’s St Patrick’s Day Reception that evening.
On Thursday morning, he will be hosted for breakfast by Vice President Mike Pence.
Last year, Varadkar, who is gay, was praised for speaking about being judged by his political actions and not his sexual orientation when he spoke at the event with Pence.
Pence has been criticised for his views on LGBT rights.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill have cancelled their St Patrick’s Day trip to Washington over Covid-19.
Foster said on Tuesday they had decided “not to travel to Washington for the St Patrick’s Day receptions”.
She said: “Whilst it is an enormous opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland in DC, our priority is dealing with the spread of coronavirus.”
Foster and O’Neill will attend a Cobra meeting in London today to discuss the response of UK authorities to Covid-19.
As last night, there are 16 cases in Northern Ireland and a total of 34 cases in the Republic of Ireland.
On Tuesday, President Trump said Americans should remain calm in the face of fear about the spread of coronavirus in the US.
He said: “It will go away, just stay calm.”
TheJournal.ie’s Political Correspondent Christina Finn will be bringing you all the latest updates from Leo Varadkar’s visit to Washington DC this week, including his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Thursday.
Stay up-to-date by following @christinafinn8, @TJ_Politics and TheJournal.ie’s Facebook page.
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They’re not undocumented they’re illegals – people who have no right to be living there and who have chosen to disregard the countries laws.
None of the government should be leaving the country with the covid 19 that money would be better spend in the hospital’s.
@Fran O’Keeffe: I agree. Imagine if he got the Corona over there
@Daithi De Roiste: dont be teasing me like that now.. Come on :)
Good old Leo never missing a photo opportunity for his collection at the tax payers expense
They say they are going to raise this issue every single year, why does Leo think we are special over hundreds of other countries? Trump can’t single out the Irish no matter what our connection, it would be seen as favoritism and racist.
Just the thought of FG coming back into power is filling me with dread! as much as this dangerous mysterious virus that’s encircle island of ireland at this moment in time!
How does he think its OK to travel!?!?!? To see Trump who’s brushing this crisis under the carpet…..
@Grainne Macklin: don’t worry trump will have nothing to brush when it gets out of control with the new cases in new York.
What is Leo doing over there brownosing? The head of government should be at home for the national holiday.
How many years are we going to hear the same line and always in the run up to Paddy’s day.
@john deere: It would turn your stomach.
Will he be having a word with the many countries leaders who’s citizens are in direct provision centres or on the loose in Ireland entering appeal after appeal at the tax payers expense or does his neo-liberalness believe anyone anywhere is perfectly acceptable?
Good old Leo never missing a photo opportunity for his collection at the tax payers expense
@Michael West: and there it is. Man of the match for you young man
Leo Varadkar to raise issue of “ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS”. What is it with this country? Anyone else and they’re illegal immigrants. But when it comes to rule breaking the Irish are special.
He’s also going to be Taoiseach for the next 2years and the pass the torch to Mehole!
Good old Leo never missing a photo opportunity for his collection at the tax payers expense
@Michael West: you should go for the hat-trick
@Michael West: undocumented Taoiseach
What a farce ,shame on him…
*illegal immigrants
We have people living in overcrowded direct provision centers run for profit. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work to earn honest pay, and given a measly 15 euro a week.
Hypocrisy thy name is “undocumented irish” advocates
Great to see us Irish getting the royal treatment off President Trump. Keep up the good work over there Taoiseach
@Maurice O Neill: yes! it’s to see the Irish get the royal treatment from our first cousins in the USA! But I prefer it wasn’t Leo and other members of the FG government leading the way!
Good old Leo never missing a photo opportunity for his collection at the tax payers expense
@Michael West: Are you a robot?
Hopefully, undocumented pregnant people rights will be also be protected.
@Pat Coyne: illegal pregnant people rights you mean?
People losing the rag over this is gas! I suppose all of the other party leaders would stay put if they were in power. As if.
Good old Leo never missing a photo opportunity for his collection at the tax payers expense
@Michael West: greedy bas…d. Pass the ball will you ?
Well done ya smug basr**d! Shouldn’t be going in the first place!
Same ole ding dong
Jayus sound like you picked up last years mandate for trump meeting
Pure hypocrisy there’s Americans living here legally, and they have to run through hoops to stay here and most of them , are self sufficient!
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