[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 15, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PRIVATE BILL FOR VIRGINIA ANIKWATA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ose). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 19, 1999, the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. 
Morella) is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a private bill on 
behalf of two of my constituents, Virginia Anikwata and her 11-year-old 
daughter, Sharon. Virginia is a resident alien from Nigeria who faces 
imminent deportation back to her home country. Her daughter Sharon, who 
was born here in the United States and is a United States citizen, 
unfortunately faces constructive deportation with her mother since she 
has no other family or close friends here in the United States to care 
for her. Virginia's husband, and Sharon's father, died unexpectedly of 
cancer during the time that he was a student in this country 11 years 
ago when Sharon was a newborn baby.
  What makes this case so compelling is that Sharon would surely be 
subjected to the horrendous practice of female genital mutilation if 
she and her mother were forced to return to Nigeria, since that is a 
universal practice in the community and clan where Virginia's family 
and her in-law family live. Her in-law family, who are entitled to make 
these decisions for a widow and a child in Nigeria, have made it clear 
that FGM, female genital mutilation, would be imposed upon Sharon.
  We in Congress have found this practice so abhorrent that we have 
made FGM subject to criminal sanctions under Federal law. It would seem 
contrary to the intent of this law for our own government to place 
itself in the position of aiding and abetting the commission of FGM on 
Sharon by constructively deporting her to Nigeria when this conduct is 
subject to criminal prosecution here in the United States.
  It also is important to note that Virginia and her daughter are model 
members of their community. Since her husband's untimely death, 
Virginia has been a law-abiding resident, supporting herself and her 
daughter by working as a practical nurse, paying taxes regularly, never 
seeking or expecting any form of government assistance and contributing 
to her community in significant ways through her work and religious 
observation. As a matter of fact, the daughter has been a model 
student. She is an honor student, very much involved in student 
activities.
  Virginia and Sharon's case present a unique set of circumstances that 
deserve special recognition and treatment by the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service and by the U.S. Congress. There has been an 
overwhelming outpouring of interest and support for this case from 
members of the public, who have been horrified at the prospect of an 
American citizen child being placed in the position of being 
constructively deported or permanently separated from her only 
surviving parent and family member here in the United States and 
subjected as well to the horrific practice of female genital 
mutilation.
  I do not introduce private bills usually, but this is an exceptional 
case. By passing this private bill to provide permanent resident status 
to Virginia Anikwata, we can prevent a miscarriage of justice and save 
an American citizen from unimaginable cruelty.

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