Political Quotes

“I rise today to denounce the outrageous decision by the Justice Department to deport Irish nationals from this country. As my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey has said, we are talking about 10 men and women who have lived in this country a number of years, who have never violated any laws of the United States, who are legally in the United States, who are married either to American citizens or foreign-born residents of this country. The fact is these men are outstanding members of this community. They have raised their children who go to our schools, they have raised families, they have worked hard, they have contributed to this country. Yet, in a mean-spirited action, the Justice Department is moving to deport them. Their only crime is they were politically convicted in nonjury political courts in Britain years ago. They were political prisoners. They entered this country legally. Now, for no reason whatsoever, our Justice Department is moving to deport them. The gentleman from New York and I had the opportunity to testify for one of these men, Brian Pearson. At his trial the judge found that he was entitled to status in this country, and refused to deport him. Yet the Justice Department has decided to appeal that decision, in direct violation of President Clinton's campaign pledge that there would be no more Joe Doherty's. This is another Joe Doherty. The decision is wrong, it is outrageous, and I condemn it.”