So, as you may head out to the bar this St. Patrick’s Day to raise a
Guinness to the old country, you may want to think more about your
ancestors’ journey and how that journey relates to the current
situation for Latino immigrants in the United States. Below are some
things to think over.

Read the below passage about Irish immigrants at the turn of the century:

“Irish immigrants often crowded into subdivided homes that were
intended for single families, living in tiny, cramped spaces. Cellars,
attics and make-do spaces in alleys became home. Not only were many
immigrants unable to afford better housing, but the mud huts in which
many had lived in had lowered their expectations. Irish immigrants
often entered the workforce at the bottom of the occupational ladder
and took on the menial and dangerous jobs that were often avoided by
other workers. West Virginia coal operators fired union laborers and
gave the jobs to Irish Immigrant workers because, “[the] coal company
owned them.”

Does this sound like something people say today about Latino immigrants?

Also, during the May 1st marches last year, many commentators
reacted strongly that immigrants should not carry the flags from their
countries of origin, like Mexico.

Did you attend a St. Patrick’s Day event? Was the Irish flag present? Did anyone object?

Finally, did you know that there were still a large number of Irish
immigrants coming to the United States, legally or with out
documentation?

From the San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/09/BAG7DO1K5D1.DTL

Elaine, a San Francisco nanny who wouldn't give her last name
because she lacks legal immigration status, plans to leave her
6-year-old son with her sister and fly to the nation's capital to join
the call for comprehensive immigration reform on March 7.

She said she feels a sense of commonality with illegal immigrants
from Mexico, who make up the majority of the estimated 12 million
people living in the United States illegally.

"We're all in the
same boat," she said. "The Irish are lucky because we speak English and
we're white: We do get treated better. But we (undocumented immigrants)
are all hard workers. We all want a better life."

This St. Patrick’s Day, I will not only wear green but I will also
take the time to say thank you that this country chose to let my
ancestors come into this country. I will also recognize the
contribution that many in my family and in the Irish community have
made to the United States. AND I will continue to fight for a path to
citizenship for ALL immigrants currently trying to build a better life
and support their families. It’s the Irish way to fight for justice for
the poor and I will keep that tradition alive.