[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        KEVIN AND JOYCE CROSSAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 1997

  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
the House the case of Kevin and Joyce Crossan. As you may know, Kevin 
is one of several Irish nationals who faces deportation from the United 
States.
  As an 18-year-old in Northern Ireland, Kevin was arrested and charged 
with murder. He was ultimately convicted in a ``Diplock'' court, which 
hears only political offenses, and he spent 14 years in Long Kesh 
Prison. His crime was recognized by the British Government as a 
political crime.
  While serving his time in Long Kesh, Kevin developed a relationship 
with Joyce Farrell, an American citizen. Joyce moved to Belfast after 
Kevin was released, but the two became subjects of constant harassment 
from the Royal Ulster Constabulary [RUC]. Kevin and Joyce moved to the 
United States in 1991 and they married in 1992. After their arrival, 
Kevin filed for an adjustment of status for legal alien residence. 
However, on June 20, 1995, Kevin's adjustment for status was denied and 
he was told that he ``will be contacted with procedures to effect his 
departure from the United States.'' He has also been denied work 
authorization for almost 2 years.
  Last month, I had the pleasure of meeting Joyce Crossan, who has 
become actively involved in the cases of her husband and others facing 
deportation. She explained to me how she was treated during her brief 
residence in Belfast. Because of her relationship with Kevin, Joyce was 
repeatedly harassed by the RUC--even arrested and detained in 
Castlereagh Prison for 3 days. Clearly, sending Kevin and Joyce back to 
that environment would lead to continued harassment and mistreatment.
  Mr. Speaker, the Crossans are one of several families facing these 
extraordinary circumstances. The Irish nationals involved in all of 
these cases are men who have served their time and are no longer wanted 
for any crimes. They are married to American-born citizens, and many of 
them have children. In each of these cases, these families are 
upstanding members of their communities, and they pose absolutely no 
threat to anyone.
  Last February, I cosigned a letter to President Clinton, asking for 
his personal intervention on behalf of these families. I urge my 
colleagues to send similar letters to help ensure that families like 
the Crossans are able to stay in the United States.

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