WATERFORD TD JOHN Deasy has been appointed as a government envoy to the US Congress to work on the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States.

Speaking about the appointment, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “As well as his significant experience of 15 years service in Dáil Eireann, John Deasy also has extensive experience in the US Congress, including working on immigration reform legislation.”

Varadkar added that Deasy will bring his “experience and his network of contacts to augment the extensive efforts already undertaken by the government and Embassy to bring about reforms to assist the undocumented Irish”.

The move comes amid President Donald Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants living in the US – about 50,000 of whom are Irish.

Last month, Donegal man John Cunningham was arrested in Boston for living illegally in the US. He now faces deportation from the country.

‘Determined to get to grips with it’ 

Deasy will work with the Embassy in Washington DC, under the leadership of the Irish Ambassador to the US and the ministers for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs.

Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh said the appointment “shows how determined our government is go get to grips with the issue of undocumented Irish living in America”.

Deasy will not receive any additional remuneration for this role, apart from expenses from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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Read: ‘Don’t open your door’ – things have just gotten very, very real for illegal Irish in the US

Read: ‘A great deal of fear’ in Irish-American community after man arrested in Boston on immigration offences