Obama on St Patrick's Day touts immigrant tradition in US

WASHINGTON (AP) - Donning green in the Oval Office, President Barack Obama promoted U.S-Irish ties on St. Patrick's Day as proof of America's immigrant-friendly tradition. He and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny urged Congress to follow Obama's lead on immigration.

Obama hosted Kenny, known in Ireland as the Taoiseach, on Tuesday for their yearly St. Patrick's Day meeting, before accompanying him to the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon at the Capitol. Obama defended the executive steps he's taken to shield millions in the U.S. from deportation, while acknowledging that due to a Republican lawsuit, those actions are "currently tied up in the courts."

"We share the view that one of the great strengths of the US has always been its willingness to welcome new immigrants to our shores," Obama said. "That's what's made us unique and special."

Kenny, a familiar face at the White House after years of St. Patrick's Day visits, said U.S. immigration policies were a priority for Ireland. In a clear reference to Congress, he said he hoped that eventually the political leadership in Washington would find a way to "actually deal with this."

Vice President Joe Biden kicked off the day of festivities earlier with a breakfast at his official residence, but drew criticism for joking as he welcomed Kenny that "anyone wearing orange isn't welcome in." Although Biden quickly added that he was joking, the quip offended supporters of the Orange Order, the grassroots organization for the Protestant majority in Northern Ireland.

William McCea, a member of British Parliament from the Democratic Unionists party, called on Biden, who is Catholic, to apologize. The Democratic Unionists are the main British Protestant party in Northern Ireland.

"Undoubtedly if he had made such a remark about any other faith group there would be calls for his resignation," McCea said.

Both Obama and Biden called for peace in Northern Ireland, with Obama saying there was reason to be hopeful about the unity government there, but adding: "there's still more work to do."

Yet in a departure from past years, when Northern Ireland's leaders joined in the White House celebration, this year its leaders stayed in Belfast as they worked to salvage their troubled unity government. Last week the Obama administration sent warning through its envoy to the Northern Ireland talks, Gary Hart, that First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness should stay home unless they could come to Washington with a firm new agreement in place.

Obama and Kenny kept the focus on more festive topics as they joined House Speaker John Boehner and other dignitaries midday for a luncheon at the Capitol, where they were serenaded by a four-piece band playing traditional Irish songs. The leaders were to return to the White House for Obama's annual St. Patrick's Day reception.

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Associated Press writer Shawn Pogatchnik in Dublin contributed to this report.

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