As the United States gears up for its next presidential election, Irish Americans are once again reflecting on the significance of their roots in shaping the political discourse. For many, the upcoming election is not just a matter of national importance—it’s personal. Irish Americans are looking at key issues through the lens of their heritage and history as immigrants, drawing connections between their own struggles for acceptance and the current climate surrounding immigration policy, healthcare, and social justice.
In the days leading up to the election, a common refrain is emerging among members of the Irish American community: “I just think it’s important that Irish people remember in the next 24 hours that we are the immigrants.” This powerful reminder underscores how deeply the Irish American experience is intertwined with the immigrant narrative in the United States—a country built on the backs of those seeking a better life, often facing discrimination and hardship along the way.
The Immigrant Story: A Legacy of Struggle and Resilience
The Irish first arrived in significant numbers to the United States in the mid-19th century, fleeing famine and poverty in Ireland. They faced severe prejudice, with Irish immigrants often depicted as unwelcome outsiders, branded as unworthy of assimilation into American society. Today, Irish Americans stand as one of the most successful and integrated ethnic groups in the U.S. But many are keenly aware of how much progress has been made since those early days—and how similar struggles persist for newer immigrant communities.
As a reminder of the past, many Irish Americans find themselves speaking out for immigrant rights today, particularly in light of the current political climate. Immigration has been one of the central issues of the 2024 election, with debates raging over border security, the treatment of undocumented immigrants, and the future of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients. The Trump administration’s hardline policies have been criticized by immigrant advocates, while the Biden administration’s handling of the border has sparked its own set of challenges and criticisms.
The Fight for Immigrant Rights: A Personal Issue for Many Irish Americans
For those who trace their roots to the waves of Irish immigration, the treatment of current immigrants is deeply personal. Many see the battle for immigrant rights as part of a long legacy of overcoming adversity. According to John McCarthy, a longtime Irish American activist based in Boston, “We’ve got to remember how hard it was for our ancestors to come here, to build a life from nothing, only to be treated as second-class citizens.”
McCarthy, like many in his community, sees the parallels between the struggles of Irish immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries and those faced by today’s immigrants from Central America, Africa, and other parts of the world. “I think the Irish community in America has a responsibility to speak out for the rights of immigrants. We were once them,” McCarthy says. “I look at what’s happening at the border, and it brings me back to those early stories I heard growing up. We can’t forget that.”
Indeed, Irish Americans are among those who advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, with many rallying behind policies that create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and support for DACA recipients—often called “Dreamers.” The current immigration debate in the U.S. touches a nerve for Irish Americans, especially as they watch a new generation of immigrants face struggles similar to what their forebears experienced.
Healthcare and Social Justice: Issues That Matter Most
Beyond immigration, Irish Americans are also concerned with a host of other issues affecting both their community and the broader U.S. electorate, including healthcare, social justice, and economic policy.
Healthcare reform remains one of the top concerns for many Irish Americans. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for a more equitable healthcare system, and many in the community have seen firsthand how systemic inequalities continue to affect access to quality care, especially for working-class families.
Social justice is another pressing issue, especially as the Black Lives Matter movement continues to push for racial equality and police reform. Irish Americans, many of whom grew up in working-class neighborhoods, often feel a strong sense of solidarity with marginalized groups fighting for better living conditions, equal rights, and justice.
“The Irish community in America has always been about helping others, fighting for fairness,” says Catherine O’Connor, a community organizer in Chicago. “We know what it’s like to be excluded, to be discriminated against. So we’re on the front lines fighting for things like universal healthcare, police reform, and racial justice.”
The 2024 Election: A Pivotal Moment for Irish Americans
As the 2024 U.S. election approaches, many Irish Americans are looking to the candidates and their platforms with a renewed sense of urgency. The stakes feel higher than ever, particularly as questions about immigration policy, healthcare, and racial equity continue to dominate national discourse.
For Michael Doherty, an Irish American small business owner in New York, the election offers a chance to advocate for policies that align with his values: “I’m voting for candidates who support immigrants, who understand what it means to work hard and build a future here. We need to create a more inclusive America, just like the one my grandparents came to.”
Doherty, like many in the Irish American community, sees the immigrant experience as a cornerstone of the American story, one that continues to shape the country’s future. As Irish Americans reflect on their past and look to the future, they are committed to ensuring that the next generation of immigrants—regardless of their background—has the same opportunities to succeed that they themselves received.
Conclusion: Standing in Solidarity
In the days leading up to the election, the Irish American community is making it clear that they have not forgotten their roots as immigrants. The reminder that “we are the immigrants” resonates loudly as they advocate for policies that ensure justice, equity, and opportunity for all people, no matter where they come from.
As the country faces the crossroads of another election, Irish Americans are speaking out—pushing for a future that honors their legacy and builds a more inclusive, compassionate society. For them, the fight for immigrants’ rights is not just a political issue, but a deeply personal one, bound up in the very fabric of their identity as Americans.
