Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore is in Washington for a series of meetings with key Republicans and Democrats to push for comprehensive reform of the US immigration system.
His visit follows the recent approval of an immigration reform bill by the US Senate.
The bill would allow for a "path to citizenship" for the almost 12 million undocumented migrants living in the US.
There are estimated to be over 50,000 undocumented Irish people currently living in the US.
The focus will now shift from the Senate to the House of Representatives where it is hoped cross-party support can be secured for proposed reforms.
Mr Gilmore will meet Republican Congressman and former vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, and other significant Congressional leaders to highlight the plight of the undocumented Irish.
During his meetings, the Tánaiste will also discuss the establishment of a visa regime for future legal migration between Ireland and the US as part of the comprehensive reform package.
Mr Gilmore will also meet Senator John McCain to discuss both immigration reform and the recent debate about Ireland's corporate tax rate in the US.
Republicans in the House of Representatives held a 2.5 hour closed-door meeting on the proposed immigration reforms last night.
Several politicians said there appeared to be no consensus over calls for granting legal status to the almost 12 million illegal immigrants.
"We have a disagreement inside here," said Republican Representative Steve King, who thought that his colleagues were split "50/50" on whether any of the undocumented residents should get legal status.
