TÁNAISTE EAMON GILMORE is to meet the newly-installed US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington later today.

The Labour leader and Minister for Foreign Affairs is expected to discuss America’s plans to radically overhaul its strict immigration laws and how this will affect the tens of thousands of Irish people living and working illegally in the United States.

Earlier this month it was revealed that Gilmore has been ringing senior US politicians to push hard for a reform of the laws which will allow undocumented Irish workers to remain in the country.

Gilmore and Kerry will also discuss Northern Ireland, plans for an EU-US trade agreement, and Syria.

Gilmore and Taoiseach Enda Kenny will meet with US President Barack Obama at the White House tomorrow where the Taoiseach will present Obama with the traditional bowl of shamrock to mark the ties between Ireland and the US.

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