In one of his final acts as Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan (R-WI) is leading an effort to give thousands of American work visas to Irish citizens.
A total of 10,500 visas under the federal government's E-3 program were originally set aside for applicants from Australia beginning in 2005. In 2017, 5,657 visas were issued to Australian applicants, leaving around 5,000 up for grabs.
Ryan, who is of Irish descent, pushed a law through the House in late November that would grant Irish nationals access to any unclaimed work visas.
The Senate will vote on the bill today. President Donald Trump has not indicated whether or not he supports the bill.
Critics are slamming Ryan for what they view as soaring hypocrisy on immigration policy. Ryan as Speaker has blocked votes to pass the Dream Act, which would give the opportunity for children brought to the United States illegally to obtain permanent residency.
Meanwhile, thousands of refugees have traipsed through Central America hoping to make it to the United States so that they and their children can avoid persecution and political violence. Instead of welcoming them, Ryan and his Republican Party have responded by ripping families apart and locking kids in cages.
It sure does look like Ryan only wants people who look like him to come to America for a better life.
The Irish government, unsurprisingly, supports the measure and in return will offer more work visas to Americans and make it easier for Americans to retire in Ireland if they qualify.
“The idea here is that this is going to be reciprocal,” said John Deasy, an Irish special envoy to the United States. “We think it’s important that the flows in the workplace continue between the two countries.”
Ryan has said he one day hopes to become ambassador to Ireland.
