Statement of the IAUC on the Death of an Irish Immigrant

Last week, Noel Gaynor of Buffalo, NY died because he couldn’t afford the medication he needed for a serious heart condition. Noel was of a group of Irishmen who came to this country to take refuge from a sectarian government, like so many other immigrants who have sought refuge from political and economic conditions in their homelands. They worked lawfully here in the United States. They paid taxes, paid social security, raised loving families, and contributed to the communities where they settled. Noel, and the others who are still living, were given “deferred status” in 2009 which meant they could work but weren’t allowed to apply for permanent residency here. Noel’s work authorization was taken away not that long ago and with that, access to funds that would’ve paid for the much-needed medication. There are many others who are currently or will be facing the same peril. The Irish Echo’s story of May 23, 2025 Death of ‘Deportee’ Noel Gaynor describes the Catch-22 Noel and others have been in these years with the threat of deportation always present.

In addition to the “deportees”, the Irish government estimates that there are currently 10,000 undocumented Irish living in the United States. This is in addition to many undocumented from other nations who have sought an opportunity to work and raise a family and become citizens. Most pay taxes and pay social security. CBS News interviewed some business owners and undocumented in March. Business owners worry about how they can continue to operate without these workers. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/irish-immigrants-trump-america/

It is evident there is an immigration crisis here in America. But it is due to a lack of will by members of Congress to honestly tackle this issue without using it to scare and mislead constituents. The most vulnerable of these undocumented are targeted first. They are men, women and children seeking political asylum and lawful status and they are deported because they have no power, no wealth, no criminal record but are the low hanging fruit that ICE can easily take.
The IAUC cannot stand by in silence and say nothing about how people are treated in the United States. We support safety and security for the United States and its people but we condemn the callous treatment of human beings who have long looked to these shores as a refuge.