Irish applicants for US green cards should have a much better success rate this year because of reduced applications in the US, according to the country's largest advice centre for Irish immigrants.
The Emerald Isle Immigration Centre(EEIC), in New York, said it has seen a dramatic fall off in both queries and applications since last year. As each country is allocated a green card quota, this is likely to greatly increase the odds of receiving a green card.
The fall-off has been blamed on a much tighter airport tracking system which makes it more difficult for illegal immigrants to attend interviews for the second phase of their application system.
Under the system, applicants whose names are selected under the green card lottery are then interviewed by staff at a US embassies in their countries.
According to the EIIC, many immigrants are also afraid that the US government will set up a database of information obtained through the new electronic application system.
Ms Siobhan Dennehy, executive director of the EEIC, said the chances of success have greatly increased for Irish applicants who will be able to attend interviews as the US Embassy in Dublin. The centre has already seen more than a 90 per cent drop off in queries.
Ms Dennehy said she would be meeting with the EIIC's lawyers early next week to decide the best advice for illegal immigrants.
The EIIC has offices in the Queens and the Bronx, both of which are offering photo scanning and application assistance to immigrants who wish to apply for this year's lottery programme.
The application system will remain open until December 31st.