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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2000

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO REGARDING

WASHINGTON, DC - The Attorney General today announced that deportation proceedings would be terminated against six aliens. The Attorney General issued the following statement:

• "I have been advised by the Secretary of State that terminating deportation proceedings against six aliens who have engaged in activity on behalf of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and foregoing proceedings against three others would serve the interests of United States foreign policy by contributing to the course of reconciliation reflected in the Good Friday Accord. The Secretary further believes that terminating or foregoing proceedings will encourage constructive action by the parties toward a lasting peace at an important juncture in the implementation of that Accord. I have been informed by the National Security Advisor that he agrees with the Secretary's foreign policy judgment.

   

• "Accordingly, in order to support and promote the process of reconciliation that has begun in Northern Ireland, I have today directed the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to offer to terminate deportation proceedings against the six Irish aliens, and to forego proceedings against the three additional aliens.

   

• "The Secretary of State and the National Security Advisor have requested this action knowing that each of these aliens is illegally present in the United States or otherwise subject to deportation, and that each has committed crimes that would ordinarily augment the government's interest in their prompt deportation. The Secretary and the National Security Advisor have requested this exercise of discretion based on their determination that the very significant foreign policy interests at stake in the Northern Ireland peace process warrant such action. I have been advised that the British and Irish governments have been consulted, and that this action parallels their efforts to reintegrate former paramilitary prisoners into society in support of the peace process."

The six whose proceedings were suspended are: Brian Pearson, Gabriel Megahey, Noel Gaynor, Gerald McDade, Robert McErlean, and Matthew Morrison. The three who were never in proceedings are: Don Mulholland, Kevin Crossan, and a third individual who is currently a legal permanent resident whose records are covered by the Privacy Act.

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