Please read.........Please help if you want

[Unrepentant Fenian]

Hello,
Pól Brennan, a friend and fellow Irishman has found himself in a desperate and unjust situation regarding his immigration status, even though he's not here illegally. He has been held at a Federal Detention Facility in Texas since mid-January, all due to an expired work permit that expired through no fault of his own. Texas immigration judge Howard Achtsam who has a track record of denying bail to detainees has denied Pól bail every time. Even the leader of the House Homeland Security Committee,New York Congressman Peter King (R) has backed Pól's request for bail (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3816953.ece). All of this is happening while his bid for political asylum drags on.
This unjust confinement has taken a huge toll on his family too. Pól, who is a carpenter by trade, may no longer have a job even if he were released today. His employer is holding his job for him, but after being gone for six months, he will have to be replaced some day soon. Pól and his wife of 20 years, Joanna are also in very real danger of losing their home without his income. All I ask is that you take a minute to look over the website that a friend of ours has put together to get his story out. After that, if you want to help, you can write our elected officials, send Pól a letter of support, donate to defray his legal costs and save the family's home or just help to spread the word. Pól Brennan is a man who has suffered the loss of his freedom and endured many personal hardships, his whole life, to protect the people and country he loves. He needs and deserves our help today.
Thank you all very much,
Ed Dinan
Link to the support web site..... http://www.polbrennan.com/

[gateley]

1. Is there anything the local Dems can do?

I'll go to his site and do what I can to help. I'm so sorry for Pol. He's lucky to have you as a friend.

[Unrepentant Fenian]

2. Thank you...

Yes, there is contact information on the website for officials who can help. If anybody is from the Bay Area in Calif, they can contact Barbra Lee, the Brennan's House Rep. That's one of the reasons it's so important to get a change of venue, so Pól can get away from that redneck judge in Texas and have the case moved to San Francisco where the courts are more compassionate , plus he and his wife can be closer to home. Thank you for your interest. Please contact me anytime if you have any more questions.
Ed

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. How on earth

did he let his work permit expire?

A totally terrible situation. I am so sorry.

[Unrepentant Fenian]

4. Expired permit...

The government has set a two week window for renewing work permits. For example, if his work permit expires on Mar 30th, he can not apply to renew it before Mar 16th. So he mails the renewal application, or brings it in to them on the 16th. The feds, acting at the speed of bureaucracy, either renew or deny the application, generate a reply then put it in the mail to him. If all of this doesn't happen in 2 weeks, his permit is expired and he is now in danger of being deported. I could be wrong on some of the details, but this is how it was explained to me.

[otherlander]

5. K&R

[Breeze54]

6. Political asylum from Ireland? Why? How long have they been in the states?

I'll check out the website though.

:kick: & Recommended

[Unrepentant Fenian]

7. Asylum...

He's been in this country since 1983, as far as political asylum goes, as an Irish Republican Pól may be subject to treatment much like Black Americans received from the Klan here in the 50's and 60's. Catholics in the North of Ireland still suffer great amounts of discrimination in housing, employment and by the police & armed solders that patrol the streets. There are still tall watchtowers in Catholic neighborhoods staffed by armed solders with surveillance and eavesdropping equipment. Things are improving there, but they are still not good. Thanks for asking.
Ed

[Breeze54]

8. Why hasn't he applied for Citizenship here by now?

I have sympathy but am curious.

[Unrepentant Fenian]

9. citizenship

He's working on it, I believe he will have a hearing in August to try to get a green card. The path to citizenship is amazingly complicated and I sure don't fully understand it. I do know that he has a lawyer working on it. I saw that you recommended this thread. What does that mean? It sounds like a good thing, so Thank You.