[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7176-S7178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS--Friday, June 18, 
                                  2004

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 2549. A bill for the relief of Alfredo Plascencia Lopez and Maria 
Del Refugio Plascencia; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to offer legislation to 
provide lawful permanent residence status to Alfredo Plascencia Lopez 
and his wife, Maria Del Refugio Plascencia, Mexican nationals who live 
in the San Bruno area of California.
  I have decided to offer legislation on their behalf because I believe 
that, without it, this hardworking couple and their four United States 
citizen children would endure an immense and unfair hardship. Indeed, 
without this legislation, this family may not remain a family for much 
longer.
  The Plascencias have worked for years to adjust their status through 
the appropriate legal channels, only to have their efforts thwarted by 
inattentive legal counsel. Repeatedly, the Plascencias' lawyer refused 
to return their calls or otherwise communicate with them in anyway. He 
also failed to forward crucial immigration documents, or even notify 
the Plascencias that he had them. Because of the poor representation 
they received, Mr. and Mrs. Plascencia only became aware that they had 
been ordered to leave the country 15 days prior to their deportation. 
Although the family was stunned and devastated by this discovery, they 
acted quickly to secure legitimate counsel and to file the appropriate 
paperwork to delay their deportation to determine if any other legal 
action could be taken.
  The Plascencias' current date of removal from the United States is 
set for June 23rd.
  For several reasons, it would be tragic for this family to be removed 
from the United States.
  First, since arriving in the United States in 1988, Mr. and Mrs. 
Plascencia have proven themselves to be a responsible and civic-minded 
couple who share our American values of hard work, dedication to family 
and devotion to community.
  Second, Mr. Plascencia has been gainfully employed at Vince's 
Shellfish for the past 13 years, where his dedication and willingness 
to learn have propelled him from part-time work to a managerial 
position. He now oversees the market's entire packaging operation and 
several employees. The president of the market, in one of the several 
dozen letters I have received in support of Mr. Plascencia, referred to 
him as ``a valuable and respected employee'' who ``handles himself in a 
very professional manner'' and serves as ``a role model'' to other 
employees. Others who have written to me praising Mr. Plascencia's job 
performance have referred to him as ``gifted,'' ``trusted,'' 
``honest,'' and ``reliable.''
  Third, like her husband, Mrs. Plascencia has distinguished herself as 
a medical assistant at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in the Bay Area. 
Not satisfied with working as a maid at a local hotel, Mrs. Plascencia 
went to school, earned her high school equivalency degree and improved 
her skills to become a medical assistant. Until her work permit expired 
last week, Mrs. Plascencia was working in Kaiser Permanente's Oncology 
Department, where she attended to cancer patients. Those who have 
written to me in support of Mrs. Plascencia, of which there are 
several, have described her work as ``responsible,'' ``efficient,'' and 
``compassionate.'' In fact, Kaiser Permanente's Director of Internal 
Medicine, Nurse Rose Carino, wrote to say that Mrs. Plascencia is ``an 
asset to the community and exemplifies the virtues we Americans extol: 
hardworking, devoted to her family, trustworthy and loyal, [and] 
involved in her community. She and her family are a solid example of 
the type of immigrant that America should welcome wholeheartedly.'' 
Mrs. Carino went on to write that Mrs. Plascencia is ``an excellent 
employee and role model for her colleagues. She works in a very 
demanding unit, Oncology, and is valued and depended on by the 
physicians she works with.''

  Together, Mr. and Mrs. Plascencia have used their professional 
successes to realize many of the goals dreamed of by all Americans. 
They saved up and bought a home. They own a car. They have good health 
care benefits and they each have begun saving for retirement. They want 
to send their children to college and give them an even better life.
  This legislation is important because it would preserve these 
achievements and ensure that Mr. and Mrs. Plascencia will be able to 
make substantive contributions to the community in the future. It is 
important, also, because of the positive impact it will have on the 
couple's children, each of whom is a United States citizen and

[[Page S7177]]

each of whom is well on their way to becoming productive members of the 
Bay Area community.
  Christina, 13, is the Plascencias' oldest child, and an honor student 
with a 3.0 grade-point average at Parkside Intermediate School in San 
Bruno.
  Erika, 9, and Alfredo, Jr., 7, are enrolled at Belle Air Elementary, 
where they have worked hard at their studies and received praise and 
good grades from their teachers. In fact, last year, the principal of 
Erika's school recognized her as the ``Most Artistic'' student in her 
class. Recently, Erika's teacher, Mrs. Nascon, remarked on a report 
card, ``Erika is a bright spot in my classroom.''
  The Plascencias' youngest child is 2 year-old Daisy.
  Removing Mr. and Mrs. Plascencia from the United States would be 
tragic for their children. Children who were born in the United States 
and who through no fault of their own have been thrust into a situation 
that has the potential to dramatically alter their lives.
  It would be especially tragic for the Plascencias' older children--
Christina, Erika, and Alfredo--to have to leave the United States. They 
are old enough to understand that they are leaving their schools, their 
teachers, their friends and their home. They would leave everything 
that is familiar to them. Their parents would find themselves in Mexico 
without a job and without a house. The children would have to acclimate 
to a different culture, language and way of life.
  The only other option would be for Mr. and Mrs. Plascencia to leave 
their children here with relatives. This separation is a choice which 
no parents should have to make.
  Many of the words I have used to describe Mr. and Mrs. Plascencia are 
not my own. They are the words of the Americans who live and work with 
the Plascencias day in and day out and who find them to embody the 
American spirit. I have sponsored this legislation, and asked my 
colleagues to support it, because I believe that this is a spirit that 
we must nurture wherever we can find it. Forcing the Plascencias to 
leave the United States would extinguish that spirit.
  I ask unanimous consent that six of more than 50 letters of support 
my office has received from members of the San Bruno community be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:


                                         H&N Food Int'l, Inc.,

                            San Francisco, CA, September 30, 2002.
     Re Alfredo Plascencia Lopez and/or Maria Plascencia
     Immigration and Naturalization Service,
     San Francisco, CA.
       I have known Alfredo Plascencia Lopez for at least nine 
     years. My company sells product to Vince's Shellfish Company 
     where Alfredo is employed. I deal directly with Alfredo 
     regarding the quality of seafood that Vince's Shellfish 
     receives from me.
       Working with Alfredo on a daily basis, I have come to know 
     Alfredo as an honest, reliable, and hard working family man. 
     Even though we do a tremendous amount of business, I really 
     consider him a good friend and caring person.
       If Alfredo were to be deported, it would be a great loss 
     not only to the fish business, but also importantly to his 
     young and growing family. How hard it would be for them to 
     continue on, or where would they turn?
           Sincerely,
                                                        Bobby Ngo,
     Tuna Purchaser/Salesman.
                                  ____

                                               St. Bruno's Church,
                                   San Bruno, CA, August 30, 2002.
       To Whom It May Concern: the purpose of this letter is to 
     present my observations on Alfredo Plascencia Lopez and Maria 
     Plascencia's character and work ethic. I first came to know 
     them in our church when they came to worship on a Sunday. 
     This happened around January in 1998.
       And so for the last 4 years both Alfredo and Maria have 
     been two of our outstanding parishioners at St. Bruno's 
     Church. They come to Sunday Mass and worship, and have been 
     involved in many ministries and services here in our church 
     at St. Bruno's. Alfredo has been especially a minister of 
     hospitality, always welcoming people to church and to 
     participation in the life of the community, helping to 
     provide a spirit of acceptance and concern among our people 
     and providing bread and refreshments for some gatherings. 
     Maria has been especially involved as a teacher, faithfully 
     giving to our children the fundamentals of our Faith, of the 
     Gospel and of a Christian moral life. They have four children 
     all of whom have been baptized at St. Bruno's Church and come 
     to our School of Religion and our church.
       Alfredo and Maria have been most generous with their time, 
     their talents and their money, sharing all these with the 
     members of our Church Community. They have also frequently 
     donated food to the church and to the Pastor. I have found 
     them to be really good Christian people, most generous, 
     considerate, kind, honest and reliable. If they would have to 
     leave the United States, it will be most difficult for them 
     and for their children who have been growing in a Christian 
     environment and are doing so well; it would be a tremendous 
     loss. We too here in our church would find it difficult 
     without them. For they are a great asset to this country and 
     to our church and to many people.
       We appreciate whatever you can do for them to help them get 
     their legal papers of residence in the United States.
       Thank you very much.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                  Rev. Rene Gomez,
     Pastor of St. Bruno's Church.
                                  ____



                                            Kaiser Permanente,

     Re Maria Del Refugio Plascencia.
     Immigration and Naturalization Service,
     South San Francisco, CA.
                               San Francisco, CA, August 29, 2002.
       To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to attest to the 
     character and work ethic of Maria Del Refugio Plascencia. I 
     am the Director of Medicine at Kaiser Permanente, South San 
     Francisco. I have known Maria since she was hired as a 
     medical assistant into my department in July 2000.
       Maria is an excellent employee and role model for her 
     colleagues. She is extremely dependable; in the two years she 
     has worked for me she has called in sick only once. She works 
     in a very demanding unit, Oncology, and is valued and 
     depended on by the physicians she works with. Maria is 
     flexible, thorough and proactive. She pays attention to 
     detail and identifies potential problems before they occur. 
     In addition, her bilingual skills enhance the patient care 
     experience for our members who speak Spanish.
       In her short tenure here, Maria found time to volunteer 
     with our community outreach programs. She served as a 
     volunteer interpreter for our recent Neighbors in Health 
     event, wherein free health care was provided to uninsured 
     children in our local community.
       I can't say enough about Maria and the type of person she 
     is. I feel fortunate to have her in my department. She is an 
     asset to the community and exemplifies the virtues we 
     Americans extol: hardworking, devoted to her family, 
     trustworthy and loyal employee, involved in her community. 
     She and her family are a solid example of the type of 
     immigrant that America should welcome wholeheartedly.
       It would be an incredible miscarriage of justice if Maria 
     and Alfredo are deported. They came to this country to pursue 
     a better life and afford their children opportunities that 
     they wouldn't have in Mexico. They have begun to do just that 
     by establishing roots in the community and purchasing a home. 
     They have never taken advantage of the ``system'' by 
     enrolling on welfare or Medi-Cal, preferring to pay their own 
     way. Deporting Maria and Alfredo would rip their family apart 
     and result in either depriving their children of a loving 
     family or depriving them of their rights as American citizens 
     if they leave the country of their birth with their parents.
       I pray that you will allow them the opportunity to live in 
     this country.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Rose Carino, RN,
     Director, Department of Medicine.
                                  ____



      The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. South San Francisco, 
                                            September 4, 2002.

     Immigration and Naturalization Service,
     San Francisco, CA.
       To Whom It May Concern:
       The purpose of this letter is to present my observations of 
     the character and work ethic of Maria Del-Refugio Plascencia 
     and Alfredo Plascencia Lopez.
       I have worked with Ms. Plascencia for two years: I, as an 
     Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Maria as a Medical Assistant. 
     Ms. Plascencia works closely with the oncology patients as an 
     educator, resource person, translator and compassionate 
     member of our oncology team at South San Francisco Kaiser. 
     Ms. Plascencia does an excellent job with the oncology 
     patients. She also is responsible, efficient and a pleasure 
     to work with on a daily basis. Ms. Plascencia is a vital 
     member of the oncology staff. On one occasion I mentioned my 
     concern regarding a 90-year-old cancer patient with limited 
     vision, without family or friends. Ms. Plascencia immediately 
     wanted to know if she and her church group could stop by and 
     read to this woman.
       I have met Mr. Plascencia on several occasions. I find him 
     to be a pleasant, responsible, and a devoted family man who 
     works hard to provide for his family.
       In conclusion, Maria Del Refugio Plascencia and Alfredo 
     Plascencia Lopez are two people any citizen of the United 
     States would be happy and proud to have as neighbors, 
     employees and friends. If I can be of any further assistance 
     in this matter, please feel free to contact me at 650-742-
     2929.
           Sincerely,
                                          Elisabeth O'Mara Sutter,
                                                        RN/NP M.S.

[[Page S7178]]

     
                                  ____
                                               Doug Gutterman,

                                 Richmond, CA, September 30, 2002.
     Immigration and Naturalization Service,
     San Francisco, CA.
     Re Alfredo Plascencia Lopez and.or Maria Plascencia
       To Whom It May Concern:
       I've worked at my present job at Vince's Shellfish for some 
     twelve years. Thru the years I have come to know Alfredo as a 
     gifted, trusted co-worker, and a loyal friend. He truly has 
     been with me thru thick and thin.
       Alfredo's presence at work and at home with his family will 
     surely be missed. Please understand a man of his character 
     deserves to stay with us.
           Thank you for your attention.
                                                   Doug Gutterman,
     Co-Worker & Friend.
                                  ____



                                  Vince's Shellfish Co., Inc.,

                                San Bruno, CA, September 30, 2002.
     Immigration and Naturalization Service,
     San Francisco, CA.
     Re Alfredo Plascencia Lopez and/or Maria Plascencia
       Alfredo Plascencia Lopez has been employed here at Vince's 
     Shellfish for the past 11 years. Alfredo started as a part-
     time employee 01/91 and I was so impressed with his work 
     ethic and loyalty that I was quick to hire him full-time 
     within a year and a half. Alfredo started full-time 
     employment at Vince's Shellfish 07/92. Throughout the past 11 
     years I have observed Alfredo as a responsible, dependable 
     individual. I can count on him in any type of situation that 
     arises in my day-to-day business. Alfredo always handles 
     himself in a very professional manner.
       Alfredo Plascencia Lopez is in charge of my entire packing 
     operation, which consists of managing ten employees. This is 
     an enormous part of my business and Alfredo is accountable 
     and running this operation with no problem. The employees 
     under him have the utmost respect for Alfredo. He is a role 
     model to many. He has learned the fish business throughout 
     his past 15 years with great enthusiasm.
       I know how important Alfredo's family is to him. I have 
     seen through the past years how he has worked hard and has 
     always placed his family first. His wife and children are 
     always first and important in his life. He has provided a 
     wonderful life for his family; if Alfredo were to be deported 
     a beautiful happy family would suffer and be broken up.
       At this time I would like to close by saying Alfredo is a 
     valuable individual to his immediate family and second, a 
     valuable and respected employee here at Vince's Shellfish.
           Sincerely,
                                           Christopher N. Svedise,
     President.

                          ____________________