Philadelphia, Day 2

Aloha kakou, I’ve delayed posting today in hopes that an amicable resolution to our predicament could be found. UCC suggested that I write to the gardai superintendant in Dublin and request that he review our case and perhaps pave the way for our return to Ireland. It seems that there is no certainty that I would be allowed into Ireland at any port, even if traveling alone, in order to fulfill any requirements necessary to allow my wife and daughter to join me.

Our family is well. Our daughter has been sleeping late and staying up late to stay in touch with her friends in Hawai’i via chats and text. My wife and I actually got out of the house and walked around our aunt’s neighborhood in Glenside, PA. Nearly everything a person would need to live on is in walking distance to the house.

The Irish Echo ran our story today on their front page, and it is now online. My thanks to Ray O’Hanlon for not only the story but his warm words of encouragement. Ruairi Quinn TD, Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment for the Labour Party made a strong statement on our behalf and vows to look into it. Both are deeply appreciated. I’ve been asked to call into the Newstalk radio program this evening, and am planning to do so. The Irish Independent requested a photograph, so they are also planning a story.

There have been two school of thoughts regarding the role of the press in assisting us. One is that any press could be bad, make immigration feel as though they are backed into a corner and cause them to defend their colleagues position. I understand that completely. My goal is not to embarass anyone. I’ve made clear my opinion that the immigration officer who met us was a dedicated public servant who misjudged our intentions and reasons for wanting to enter Ireland. I bear no ill will toward him or GNIS at all. My only desire is to return to Ireland, quietly, begin studies and allow our daughter to begin hers.

The second school of though it that press coverage can only help bring attention to our situation and perhaps bring it before someone sympathetic to it and who can help us. Others point out that our circumstances point out the lack of clarity in immigration policy for people in our situation, and shedding light on that could perhaps bring about reform. That would be wonderful.

While I straddle these two points of view, I cannot help but feel we must do whatever we can, being proactive rather than passive. I would rather return home to Hawai’i knowning that we did everything within our power to fix this than go home wondering if we should have done more. I am by nature a quiet and reserved person, and do not seek out the spotlight, though sometimes my work at the College of Hawaiian Language places me in it. I will accept the attention that our plight gives us if it will simply return us to Ireland to being our dream.

One comment on “Philadelphia, Day 2

Diarmuid says:

Adh mor Keola!

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