McAllisters Wait and Wonder.

By Tom Deignan

THE clock is still ticking for the McAllister family, who could be deported by next week unless federal officials intervene.

New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey is the latest high-ranking official to sign onto the McAllisters’ campaign.

Nevertheless, as the Irish Voice went to press, Bernadette McAllister and three of her children were set to be deported on December 17. Family supporters remain hopeful that federal immigration officials will grant the family an extension before that deadline arrives.

McGreevey supported an extension in a recent letter sent to the New Jersey Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE). That’s the agency which ordered the deportation of Bernadette, husband Malachy and their four children following a November court decision denying the Belfast family political asylum.

The McAllisters were given 30 days to leave the U.S. Malachy, and the family’s oldest son, were sought for immediate detention.

Last week, the McAllisters did receive some good news. Malachy and his son would not face detention or immediate deportation, following a deal struck by McAllister and BICE officials. 

Malachy would be able to stay at his family’s New Jersey home, while they awaited a crucial court of appeals decision. Expected next year, the decision might resolve the nearly decade-old question of whether or not the McAllisters can stay in the U.S.

The family fled Belfast in the late 1980s after Malachy spent time in prison, and their home was attacked by Loyalist enemies. After living in Canada, the family moved to New Jersey in search of political asylum. Their case is supported by a wide range of elected officials and Irish American organizations.

But while Malachy got some positive news last week, the deal he struck with BICE did not affect the status of Bernadette and three McAllister children. They, it turned out, were still included in the order to leave the U.S. within 30 days – that is, by December 17.

Supporters are still hopeful a deal will allow all the McAllisters to stay in the U.S. until the courts iron out their status. They argue that if BICE can strike a deal with Malachy – a former prisoner and Irish National Liberation Army member – than they should have no problem allowing Bernadette and their three kids stay in the U.S.