There are calls for a pathway to legalisation for an estimated 50,000 Irish people living undocumented in the US.
It follows the diplomatic row which saw Cork native father of three Keith Byrne sign a deportation order after overstaying his American visa.
Senator Martin Conway is the Seanad's spokesperson on Human Rights.
He says it's heart-breaking for the Irish Diaspora living abroad and for their families at home.
