[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6483-S6484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Obama):
  S. 1233. A bill for the relief of Diana Gecaj Engstrom; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I and my colleague Senator Obama are 
introducing a private relief bill on behalf of Diana Gejac Engstrom. 
This bill would grant legal permanent residency status to Ms. Engstrom.
  The Engstrom story is one of service. Both the late Todd Engstrom and 
his widow, Diana, have spent their professional lives in service of 
human rights and American ideals. Todd served as a Commander in the 
United Nations Special Operations Group; Diana worked as a United 
Nations translator in Kosovo. After their marriage in 2003, Diana filed 
for legal permanent residency, with the ultimate goal of achieving 
American citizenship.

[[Page S6484]]

  After the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Todd joined EOD 
Technology, Inc. as a Security Manager for Iraq. The U.S. Army assigned 
Todd to Iraq as a contractor to support our rebuilding efforts. Before 
leaving for Iraq, Todd asked Diana to raise his son, Dalton, in the 
event of his death.
  Assigned to an area just outside of Fallujah, Todd helped train Iraqi 
security forces. On September 14, 2004, Todd died in a rocket-propelled 
grenade attack on his convoy by Iraqi insurgents.
  As it stands, in addition to the tragedy of losing her husband, Diana 
can no longer continue the process of applying for legal residency and 
is in danger of deportation. Diana and Todd were not married for 2 
years and therefore our immigration laws will not allow her to apply 
for permanent residency as a widow. The permanent residency application 
process for the surviving spouses of active duty soldiers who die in 
the course of duty is allowed, under current immigration law, to 
continue after death, even if the couple has not been married for 2 
years.
  Todd died in service of the American mission in Iraq; Congress should 
grant Diana the right to stay on the path towards LPR status. Deporting 
Diana would unjustly deny Todd's wish that Diana raise his son Dalton.
  Todd trained Iraq soldiers so the Iraqi government could one day 
defend the country on its own. President Bush has made the training of 
Iraqi security services a central goal in the reconstruction of Iraq. 
Todd died in pursuit of this goal. Todd's service to our country was 
significant. His wife should not be made to suffer both the loss of her 
husband and deportation. This private bill will ensure that the 
sacrifice of Todd Engstrom is not forgotten.
                                 ______