[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 77 (Thursday, May 22, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7027-S7029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 1130. A bill for the relief of Esidronio Arreola-Saucedo, Maria 
Elena Cobian Arreola, Nayely Bibiana Arreola, and Cindy Jael Arreola; 
to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to offer legislation to 
provide lawful permanent residence status to Esidronio Arreola-Saucedo, 
Maria Elena Cobian Arreola, Nayely Bibiana Arreola, and Cindy Jael 
Arreola, Mexican nationals who live in the Fresno area of California.
  Mr. and Mrs. Arreola have lived in he United States for nearly 20 
years. They are the parents of Nayely and Cindy, who also stand to 
benefit from this legislation. The Arreolas also have three United 
States citizens children: Roberto, who is 11 year old; Daniel, who is 
8; and Saray, their youngest daughter, who is six-years old. Today, Mr. 
and Mrs. Arreola, and her children face deportation.
  The story of the Arreola family is quite compelling and I believe 
they merit Congress' special consideration for humanitarian relief. The 
Arreolas are in uncertain situation in part because of grievous errors 
committed by their previous counsel, who has since been disbarred. 
In fact, the attorney's conduct was so egregious that it compelled an 
immigration judge to write the Executive Office of Immigration Review 
seeking his disbarment for the legal detriment he caused his immigrant 
clients.

  Mr. Arreola has lived in the United States since 1986. He was an 
agricultural migrant worker in the fields of California for several 
years, and as such would have been eligible for permanent residence 
through the Seasonal Agricultural Workers, SAW, program had he known 
that he could apply for it. Mrs. Arreola was living in the United 
States at the time she became pregnant with her daughter Cindy, but 
returned to Mexico to give birth to Cindy to avoid any problems with 
the Immigration and Naturalization Service. It is quite likely that the 
family would have qualified for cancellation of removal but for the 
conduct of their previous attorney.
  Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons for permitting the family 
to remain in the United States is the devastating impact their 
deportation would have on their children: three of whom are U.S. 
citizens; the other two have lived in the United States virtually all 
of their lives. This country is the only the country they really know.
  Nayely, the oldest child, is a junior in high school. She is an 
outstanding student with a 3.91 Grade Point Average who ranks fourth in 
her class of approximately 300 students. At her relatively young age, 
Nayely has demonstrated a strong commitment to the ideals of 
citizenship in her adopted country. She has worked hard to achieve her 
full potential both in her academic endeavors and through the service 
she provides her community.
  Nayely is a member of Advancement Via Individual Determination, AVID, 
a college preparatory program in which students commit to determining 
their own futures through achieving a college degree. Nayely is also 
President of the key Club, a community service organization. She helps 
mentor freshmen and participates in several other student organizations 
in her school. Perhaps the greatest hardship to this family if she is 
forced to return to Mexico will be her lost opportunity to realize here 
dreams and further contribute to her community and to this country.
  As the principal of her high school wrote, ``[s]he epitomizes what we 
seek to instill in all of our students. She has accepted the challenges 
and has made a commitment to better her future, to better her life, and 
to better herself through education.''
  It is clear to me that Nayely feels a strong sense of responsibility 
for her community and country. By all indication, this is the case as 
well for all of the members of her fine family.
  I understand that the Arreolas also have other family who are lawful 
permanent residents here in the United States. Mrs. Arreola also has 
three brothers who are U.S. citizens and Mr. Arreola has a sister who 
is a U.S. citizen. It is my understanding that they do not have any 
family to whom they might return in Mexico.
  According to immigration authorities, this family has never had any 
problems with law enforcement. I am told that they have filed their 
taxes for every year from 1990 to the present. They have always worked 
hard to support themselves. As I previously mentioned, Mr. Arreola was 
previously employed as a farmworker, but now has his own business 
repairing electronics. His business has been successful enough to 
enable him to purchase a home for his family.
  It seems so clear to me that this family has embraced the American 
dream and their continued presence in our country would do so much to 
enhance the values we hold dear. Enactment of the legislation I have 
introduced today will enable the Arreolas to continue to make 
significant contributions to their community and to the United States 
as well.
  I ask unanimous consent that the letter of Xavier De La Torre, 
Principal of Granite Hills High School, as well as the numerous letters 
of support our office has received from members of the Porterville 
community be entered into the Record. I also ask unanimous consent that 
Nayely's essay entitled ``If I Could Change the World,'' which she 
wrote at age 15, be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the additional material was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:


                                    Granite Hills High School,

                                     Porterville, CA, May 7, 2003.
       Dear Senator Feinstein: It is with a sense of urgency that 
     I write this letter in support of Nayely Arreola, a student 
     at Granite Hills High School. I have known Nayely for the 
     past three years and have found her to be an outstanding 
     student and a fine young lady with many of the personal 
     attributes I would want for my own daughters.
       Nayely is a leader and a pioneer. She is among a very small 
     cadre of second language learners that have overcome 
     seemingly insurmountable conditions and adversities many of 
     us will never know and emerged as a respected scholar. She is 
     a classic success story. Nayely, with her spirit and drive, 
     has helped open and establish Granite Hills High School, the 
     newest high school in our community. She epitomizes what we 
     seek to instill in all of our students. She has accepted the 
     challenges and has made a commitment to better her future, to 
     better her life, and to better herself, through education. 
     Her leadership qualities were evident immediately, as she 
     became very involved in the Link Crew program, the American 
     Cancer Society's Relay for Life, the Porterville Celebrates 
     Reading program, and the Key Club.
       As a first time principal of a new high school, I rely on 
     students like Nayely to establish a strong foundation for our 
     school. She and others like her have been instrumental in all 
     the success that we have had as a school in a relatively 
     short period of time. Much of this success has come on the 
     heels of adverse conditions. She is resilient and sees life 
     from an optimistic lens, something very difficult to teach.
       As a student, Nayely is well liked by her peers, teachers, 
     and our learning community in general. A top student in her 
     class, Nayely is studious, polite, possesses a staunch work 
     ethic, and is determined to succeed in any endeavor she 
     pursues. I attribute this attitude to her parental 
     upbringing, her sense of moral obligation and a strong value 
     system. I have all the confidence in the world that Nayely 
     will be successful in life.
       If there are any further questions, or if elaboration is 
     required, please contact me at your convenience.
           Sincerely,
                                               Xavier De La Torre,
     Principal, Granite Hills High School.
                                  ____



                                    Granite Hills High School,

                                     Porterville, CA, May 7, 2003.
       Dear Senator Feinstein: Nayely Arreola is one of the most 
     conscientious students I have even had in school. When I 
     first met her last year, she introduced herself and said she 
     would be the top student in my advanced Placement U.S. 
     History class. As it turned out, schedule conflicts forced 
     her into a college prep class, but her intentions and 
     performance remained the same. She has been one of the very 
     top academic students. She also has demonstrated a deep sense 
     of patriotism and commitment to our country. Often times in 
     discussion, she has been the first to voice her support of 
     government policies and has an understanding of the complex 
     reasoning behind difficult decisions legislators and other 
     elected government people must make. In all the process of 
     having to return to Mexico, she has never once been negative 
     or derogatory towards the laws and procedures. Of all the 
     people who should be given residency, Nayely and her family 
     should be at the top of the list. They have demonstrated 
     their dependability, loyalty, hard work and individual 
     responsibility in their lives in this country. There is the 
     ``letter of the law'' and there is then the ``spirit of the 
     law.'' The Arreolas are a family that truly deserve the 
     ``spirit of the law'' in allowing them to stay and become 
     officially

[[Page S7028]]

     citizens. They have consistently demonstrated their 
     intentions to be such for the last decade or more.

                                                  Sally Howen,

                                                    Social Science
     Chair, Granite Hills High School.
                                  ____



                                    Granite Hills High School,

                                     Porterville, CA, May 7, 2003.
       Dear Senator Feinstein: Nayely Arreola is an outstanding 
     person. Having taught 30 years, I've met few students who are 
     as dedicated to working to improve themselves as Nayely. Not 
     only is she hard working, she is very intelligent. Nayely was 
     in my Geometry class two years ago and she not only worked 
     hard but she also has a wonderful understanding of the 
     connectedness of mathematics. She was always ready and 
     willing to help others who might not understand.
       Nayely is more than just a shining example of a student, 
     she is also one of the nicest students I've ever had. She is 
     always courteous and respectful to everyone. I have never 
     seen her act unkindly to anyone around campus. She is the 
     type of person of intelligence, character and integrity that 
     this country desperately needs.
       Nayely has the qualities that will make her a leader and a 
     peacekeeper in whatever situation she finds herself. If she 
     is deported to Mexico, she will do well there and enrich that 
     country. My hope and prayer is that she can stay and enrich 
     this country.
       If there is anything I can do to help in her family's need, 
     please contact me.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Carol Bentz,
     Teacher, Granite Hills High School.
                                  ____



                                    Granite Hills High School,

                                                  Porterville, CA.
       Senator Diane Feinstein: My name is Filomena Lewis and I 
     serve as the chairperson for the World Language Department 
     here at Granite Hills High School. I am pleased to be writing 
     this letter on behalf of Nayely Arreola.
       It has been a pleasure having Nayely as my student. She is 
     among the top students in my Advance Placement Spanish 
     Language class. Nayely functions effectively in both 
     leadership and group roles. Her properly developed social 
     skills are well received by her peers.
       Nayely is a terrific young lady. I have no doubt in my mind 
     that she will be a contributing asset to our society. I 
     highly recommend, with utmost regard, that Nayely be extended 
     every possible consideration to allow her to complete this 
     portion of her education at Granite Hills High School.
           Respectfully,
     Filomena Rocha Lewis.
                                  ____



                                    Granite Hills High School,

                                    Porterville, CA, May 13, 2003.
       To Whom It May Concern: It is a great pleasure to write 
     this letter for Nayely Arreola. One of Granite Hills High 
     School's most distinguished high academic students, Nayely is 
     a junior, the daughter of Esidronio and Maria Elena Arreola, 
     1384 E. Success Dr., Porterville, CA xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
       Nayely is currently earning a total grade point average of 
     3.9. She is enrolled in a college preparatory program called 
     AVID and is taking Advanced Placement Spanish Literature 3 
     and Advanced Placement English 3P. She also has nearly 
     perfect attendance.
       Not only is Nayely excelling in academics, she also excels 
     and participates in various curricular and extracurricular 
     activities on and off campus. Including Grizzly basketball 
     and clubs. She also participates in her church youth group 
     activities at her church.
       Nayely hopes to attend University of California upon 
     graduating from Granite Hills High School, where she will 
     major in medicine. Nayely also hopes to see how far she can 
     go with an honors program.
       When asked what she liked about school, especially Granite 
     Hills, she said the instructors, classes and the academic 
     programs, especially AVID. She is our top AVID student in the 
     program.
       Nayely across the years has also received many honors and 
     awards. Some of those being for leadership and the 
     Renaissance Academic Program here at Granite Hills. She has 
     also been on the Honor Roll for three years.
       I know this student has all the tools to be successful in 
     life. She will definitely be a very successful individual.
       I know Nayely on a personal basis. She has done so much to 
     be where she's at. She has achieved so many things because of 
     her efforts and motivation. She deserves so much in life. I 
     feel very proud of her.
                                                 Raul B. Bermudez,
     Guidance Tech., Granite Hills High School.
                                  ____



                                    Granite Hills High School,

                                                  Porterville, CA.
       Dear Senator Feinstein: It is with a grateful heart I write 
     to thank you for your recent support of Nayely Arreola and 
     her family. It has been my extreme pleasure to work with 
     Nayely at Granite Hills High for the past three years. Nayely 
     is by far one of the hardest working students I have met in 
     my twenty years of teaching. She is currently ranked fourth 
     in a class of three hundred students and has received honors 
     here at Granite Hills High. Recently she was selected as the 
     runner-up to Girls State. She is the President of the Key 
     Club where she has assisted in food, coat and toy drives for 
     the needy of our community. She is a LINK leader, which works 
     with freshmen, and I have known her as one of my prized 
     speech students. Last year she won the Club and Zone levels 
     of the Optimist Speech Contest and this year she was a Club 
     winner in the Lions Club Speech Contest.
       It has surprised many that I, a conservative Republican, 
     would try to assist Nayely and her family with their problem 
     of gaining residency her in the United States. I believe our 
     country was founded with people just like the Arreola family 
     who came here with a dream to improve their lives and the 
     lives of their family. The Arreola family has proved that 
     they are honest, hard working, tax paying people. It is 
     unfortunate that they received poor advice from their first 
     attorney that caused them to have their case sent to the 
     deportation court. I truly believe if they had received 
     proper representation they would have received residency long 
     ago.
       Nayely Arreola is more than a remarkable student, she is a 
     remarkable person. Everything she has done has been to 
     prepare here to go to a University here in the United States. 
     I spent almost a year teaching in Mexico and I beg our 
     Congress not to send her there. She is America's dream--her 
     contribution to our country will be great. I have watched 
     with great pride as she has grown into a wonderful young 
     lady, ready to take on the world.
       Once again, I thank you for all your help.
                                               Christine L. Amann,
     Reading Specialist/Speech Coordinator.
                                  ____



                                    Granite Hills High School,

                                    Porterville, CA, May 14, 2003.
       To Whom It May Concern: It is with great pleasure that I 
     write this letter on behalf of Nayely Arreola, a student of 
     mine at Granite Hills High School.
       Nayely is currently enrolled in my Chemistry class. She has 
     proven herself to be a conscientious, intelligent, hard-
     working young lady. She consistently has the highest grade in 
     her class and often goes ``above and beyond'' on her 
     assignments.
       I strongly support Nayely and her family in their quest for 
     legal residence in this country. I have no doubt Nayely will 
     one day be a successful, contributing member of our society. 
     She has the drive and determination to achieve any goal she 
     desires.
           Sincerely,

                                                Sara E. Silva,

                                                Chemistry Teacher,
     Granite Hills High School.
                                  ____



                                    Granite Hills High School,

                                                  Porterville, CA.
       Nayely Arreola is one of my top 5 Pre-calculus/Trig 
     students. This student is basically a model student. She is 
     the kind of student that teachers dream about. She is self-
     motivated, intelligent, has a good heart, sincere, involved, 
     etc. etc. etc. Every teacher should get an opportunity to 
     have such a student.
       It is truly sad that our government doesn't allow such 
     students to remain in the U.S. These kinds of students are 
     the ones that will help our country grow stronger. Students 
     like Nayely are the kind of resources this country needs. I 
     am in disbelief that other students that have no respect for 
     authority, do not care for education, and eventually, we will 
     have to pay for their existence in one way or another, are 
     allowed to stay. Yet great hard working people like the 
     Arreola family are obligated to leave this country.
       The qualities that Nayely possesses are indeed rare. If our 
     students possessed half of her qualities we would be second 
     to no nation in terms of education. We can not afford to lose 
     these precious resources. If our country is to grow stronger 
     we must change our way of thinking. We must change our laws. 
     We must attract people like Nayely and abolish those that 
     harm our country. We are hurting ourselves by forcing Nayely 
     Arreola to leave this country. Howe can politics be so blind?
           Truly,

                                               Jose Velazquez,

                                         Granite Hills High School
     Trigonometry teacher.
                                  ____


                   If I Could Change the World . . .

                         (By Nayely B. Arreola)

       The world has changed dramatically throughout the years. 
     Disrespect, abuse, and quick judgment are major factors that 
     have caused human suffering. They are my main concern because 
     we need to value individuality. In my speech today I am going 
     to talk about three ways I feel we could change the world.
       If I could change our interactions with elderly people, the 
     world would be a better place. I disagree with the 
     pessimistic attitude that some young Americans take towards 
     the elderly. Our country should honor and respect our senior 
     citizens. For example, in other countries convalescent homes 
     do not exist, because family members take care of their older 
     family members. They demonstrate an appreciation, and respect 
     by giving their elderly person a special significance in 
     their own life. The children take care of the parents when 
     they grow older and cannot do it themselves. The sons or 
     daughters give their loved ones a special value and view age 
     as a wonderful experience because they can learn from the 
     elderly family members. If this were not possible, then I 
     would change the convalescent homes from a hospital 
     environment to more of a home environment. In order to ensure 
     better treatment of the elderly the main focus should be on 
     their dignity, comfort, and well-being.
       By keeping the elderly at home, the children can receive 
     love and attention from

[[Page S7029]]

     someone other than their parents. Some kids come home to 
     empty houses when their parents are working hard to maintain 
     their career. Instead of watching TV, they can actually learn 
     something about themselves and the origin of their family 
     history. In order to change the world, we should appreciate 
     our elderly people because they have a lot to offer us.
       Elderly people have a lot to teach us about the world, 
     society, and culture because they have grown wise throughout 
     the years. They can help us learn from their mistakes so that 
     we won't have to go through it again and learn the hard way. 
     It is an honor to sit by them and hear so many things that 
     they have encountered during their lifetime. We have 
     degraded the value of age in America drastically by 
     placing so much emphasis on youth and looking youthful.
       Second, we have degraded the beauty of other races. I would 
     make people colorblind, so that they would not care about a 
     person's color or race. Prejudice ignores a person's 
     character, causing one person to feel superior over another 
     person. Racism has caused conflicts and problems throughout 
     history. A person who is racist does not know the big mistake 
     that he or she is making. They fail to truly meet the 
     wonderful people who they neglect.
       Furthermore, another thing that I would change in the world 
     is the suffering and abuse of an innocent child. Children are 
     gifts from heaven, but when they go through a life of torment 
     or anguish, they reflect that later in their lives. These 
     children have low self-esteem.
       Most of them repeat the same type of abuse toward their 
     children, causing the chain to repeat itself, again and again 
     throughout generations. The life of an abused child is a sad 
     life. If child suffering were eliminated, we would have 
     happier children, thus healthier adults. They would be 
     prepared to succeed in the light of success and would not be 
     left in the darkness of despair. It would make them view the 
     world as a wonderful place.
       In conclusion, I cannot change the world into a wonderful 
     place or impact it without changing myself. If I were able to 
     change the world, I would begin with myself and erase all 
     evil within my heart, in hopes of setting an example for 
     others to follow. I can only change one life at a time in 
     order to change the world into honoring the life of an 
     individual. We cannot disrespect the elderly, judge a person 
     by their color or abuse a child who in its innocence didn't 
     ask to be born. We should show respect and dignity without 
     caring the size, age or color. We should get past the 
     fashion, clothes, and looking good in order for us to truly 
     be compassionate to see what lies in the depths of a person's 
     heart. In order to change our world the answer is definitely 
     in changing the hearts of our people. We must all do our 
     part. Today I have accepted this challenge--I ask you can 
     you?
                                 ______