1 THE STRUGGLE FOR SPECIAL VISA ALLOTMENTS FOR IRISH: THE IRISH IMMIGRATION REFORM MOVEMENT AND THE IRISH LOBBY FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM A dissertation presented by Amanda Crabb to The Department of Sociology and Anthropology In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Sociology Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts March 2015 2 THE STRUGGLE FOR SPECIAL VISA ALLOTMENTS FOR IRISH: THE IRISH IMMIGRATION REFORM MOVEMENT AND THE IRISH LOBBY FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM by Amanda Crabb ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities of Northeastern University March 2015 3 ABSTRACT This dissertation examines two Irish lobby groups, the Irish Immigration Reform Movement (1987-1990) and the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (2005- ), each of which pushed for special visa allotments for Irish immigrants in the United States, Diversity Visas and E-3 Visas respectively. Data was collected from archives, interviews, social media sites, newspapers, and government documents and statistics. This research explores the organizational structure, strategic efforts both inside and outside of each organization, and justifications used to promote visa allotments for Irish. The history of Irish immigration, relevant United States legislation, and impact of a changing technological landscape are all examined. In this study I found that the organization of each group differed vastly. The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform is a top down, ad hoc organization that has experienced three distinct stages, whereas the Irish Immigration Reform Movement was well organized with elected officials, branches, and official members. In addition, the Irish Immigration Reform Movement played a dual role of political and social activism. These differences are due in part to the political dilemmas faced by each group. A context of reception framework (labor market, governmental response, ethnic community, public opinion) is used to advance our understanding of how internal and external constraints impact the structure, strategy, and presentation of immigrant each lobby group. While each context is significant, the harsher political climate since 2001 has had a profound impact upon the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform. I conclude that the overall contexts of reception were more favorable for the Irish Immigration Reform Movement. 4 Acknowledgements This project was guided by the committee of: Drs., Thomas Koenig, Gordana Rabrenovic, Mindelyn Buford, and Rachel Rosenblum. I thank each of them for their patience, comments, and valuable suggestions that improved this project. In particular thank you to Dr. Koenig, whose prompt and encouraging feedback motivated me to stay on track. I would like to thank all the members of the Irish community who were part of this research. In particular, the women and men who took time out of their busy schedules to be interviewed. Thank you to my Irish friends who were always willing to answer my random questions about their experience as an immigrant and Irish culture or put me in touch with potential interviewees. A special thank you to one person who always found my questions odd, but still, he answered them. This project would have never launched if it was not for the Irish migrants who were willing to informally share their story with me over a pint. It was during these interactions that my curiosity about unauthorized Irish immigrants was piqued and ultimately led to this project. Each one of these experiences and people made this research richer. This project would not have come to fruition if it was not for the support of my family and friends. Thank you to all my friends from Curry College. Without their support, willingness to discuss my research, read sections, meet for study dates this project would not have succeeded. In particular thank you Dr. Melissa Anyiwo, Dr. Katherine Morrison, Dr. Carrie Cokely, Dr. Becki Paynich, Dr. Jennifer Balboni, Dr. Sandra O’Neil, and Sarah Smith. I appreciate every moment that you spent listening to me rattle on about Irish immigrants. Thank you to the Alabama committee (Tai Hicks, Jennifer Hodge, Dr. Anna Mitchell Mahoney) and all my Boston friends. No words can express how much I appreciate their love 5 and support. Thank you especially to Marc Sherman and Dr. Jeremy Furtado who always reminded me that I can do this and Jessica Tripp who was willing to be my partner in crime. Thank you to Tai Hicks for not only proofreading this project but for being one of my biggest supporters. The biggest thanks is owed to Dr. Anna Mitchell Mahoney. Without her texts, emails, phone calls, in person meetings where she reminded me that any time I felt like I was going off track I was actually right where I needed to be. Without her “Go Teams” this team would not have gone. And finally my biggest supporter of all, my Mother. Without her love and belief that I can accomplish anything and everything this would not have been possible. She has always encouraged my academic pursuits and never doubted that I would find my way. The sacrifices that she has made for me are innumerable and each day I just aim to make her proud. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ 4 Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... 6 List of Charts .................................................................................................................. 9 Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................ 11 Immigrant Lobby Groups .......................................................................................... 11 Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 13 Irish Immigration Reform Movement ........................................................................ 14 Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform ......................................................................... 15 Network and Community ........................................................................................... 16 Contexts of Reception ................................................................................................ 24 Methodology .............................................................................................................. 24 Terminology ............................................................................................................... 25 Chapter Preview ......................................................................................................... 26 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 27 Chapter 2: Literature Review and Methodology ........................................................ 28 Social Movement ....................................................................................................... 28 Contexts of Reception ................................................................................................ 34 Social Networks ......................................................................................................... 40 Methodology .............................................................................................................. 44 Chapter 3: History of Irish Immigration and U.S. Immigration Legislation .......... 59 Irish Immigration ....................................................................................................... 60 Reasons ...................................................................................................................... 77 Emotional Connection ............................................................................................... 81 Legislation.................................................................................................................. 83 Unauthorized Immigrants .......................................................................................... 101 7 Chapter 4: Irish Immigration Reform Movement ...................................................... 106 Structure ..................................................................................................................... 109 Strategic Efforts ......................................................................................................... 117 Justifications .............................................................................................................. 136 Chapter 5: Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform ....................................................... 155 Structure ..................................................................................................................... 157 Irish Government ....................................................................................................... 160 Funding ...................................................................................................................... 161 Social Media .............................................................................................................