Irish Refugee Stands with NJ Governors, NJ’s Irish-American Community to Support Bob Menendez
Menendez Hailed As a Champion of Working Families
Edison, NJ – Standing with leaders of New Jersey’s Irish-American community, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez today touted his extensive record championing working families, and renewed his commitment to fighting for the issues that matter most to the community.
“Waves of Irish-Americans were critical to the creation of the labor movement today, that not only helped those in organized labor but lifted the tides for so many families in our country to enjoy a middle class life,” said Sen. Menendez. “Under President Trump’s watch, corporations and the wealthiest 1% are swimming in trillion dollar tax cuts while working families like the gentlemen behind me – who work hard every day in their professions- drown in higher prescription drug bills, higher health care costs, higher tuition bills and just a higher cost of living…and now Republicans leaders like Mitch McConnell are openly talking about their intention to pay for these trillion dollar corporate giveaways on the backs of seniors, and disabled Americans who rely on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.”
“Generations of Irish immigrants have shaped our nation in countless ways,” Menendez continued. “They are hardworking people, homeowners and business owners. And so long as I am New Jersey’s Senior Senator, Irish families across our state can trust that they will never walk alone. I’ll be there walking with you and fighting for your hopes, your dreams, and your future.”
In 2017, Sen. Menendez stood up to the Trump Administration’s attempt to deport Malachy McCallister, a New Jersey resident for more than two decades who fled Northern Ireland in 1988 after pro-British loyalist attempted to assassinate him and his family due to their political and religious beliefs, by introducing his first and only private immigration relief bill to help him become eligible for legal permanent resident status. McCallister, who lawfully entered the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program and applied for asylum, has since started a business, raised a family and become an integral member of New Jersey’s Irish-American community, including serving on the state board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Senator Menendez,” McAllister said. “Irish America, get out and vote…Vote for a leader of justice and peace around the world Vote for a friend of Ireland. Vote for Senator Bob Menendez…I’ve known Bob Menendez for 21 years now – he is the right man for this job and always will be.”
“There is no one that represents the working family dream in this country than Bob Menendez – he is that dream,” said Governor McGreevey. “Bob Menendez knows what it means to bring home dollars for New Jersey, whether it’s the Pulaski Skyway, Driscoll Bridge or other infrastructure. He knows what it means to be form middle, working class New Jersey.”
“A vote for Bob Hugin is a vote for Trump,” said Governor Richard Codey. “And a vote Menendez is a vote for decency, honesty and integrity.”
Irish Americans are part of the fabric of New Jersey and the nation, and have made lasting contributions to our society, culture and economy. There are at least 144,588 Irish-born, naturalized U.S. residents, according to the 2010 Census, and up to 60,000 Irish undocumented immigrants or immigrants who have overstayed their visas in the United States.
As the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez has consistently stood up for American values—democracy, human rights and justice—and advocated in meetings with representatives of the British government for fairness for the people of Northern Ireland. A champion for immigrant rights, the Senator successfully pushed the Obama Administration to create DACA and was a member of the “Gang of 8” that passed comprehensive immigration reform with 68 votes in the U.S. Senate.
Among those joining the Senator today at the Carpenters Training Center in Edison were: former Gov. James E. McGreevey, State Senator and former Gov. Richard Codey, State Senator Joe Cryan, State Senator Pat Deignan, former State Senator Bernard Kenny, Assemblyman Thomas Giblin, Assemblyman James Kennedy, Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, Hudson County Freeholder Bill O’Dea, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, former Jersey City Mayor Jeremiah Healy, former Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire, Middlesex County Chairman Kevin McCabe, Middlesex County Vice Chair Beatrice Moskowitz, and members of Carpenters Local 254.
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