[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 20, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3368-S3371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 933. A bill for the relief of Joseph Gabra and Sharon Kamel; to 
the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I am offering today private relief 
legislation to provide lawful permanent residence status to Joseph 
Gabra and his wife, Sharon Kamel, Egyptian nationals currently living 
with their children in Camarillo, CA.
  Joseph Gabra and Sharon Kamel entered the United States legally on 
November 1, 1998, on tourist visas. They immediately filed for 
political asylum based on religious persecution.

[[Page S3369]]

  The couple fled Egypt because they had been targeted for their active 
involvement in the Coptic Christian Church in Egypt. Mr. Gabra was 
repeatedly jailed by Egyptian authorities because of his work for the 
church. In addition, Ms. Kamel's cousin was murdered and her brother's 
business was fire-bombed.
  When Ms. Kamel became pregnant with their first child, the family was 
warned by a member of the Muslim brotherhood that if they did not raise 
their child as a Muslim, the child would be kidnapped and taken from 
them.
  Frightened by these threats, the young family sought refuge in the 
United States. Unfortunately, when they sought asylum here, Mr. Gabra, 
who has a speech impediment, had difficulty communicating his fear of 
persecution to the immigration judge.
  The judge denied their petition, telling the family that he did not 
see why they could not just move to another city in Egypt to avoid the 
abuse they were suffering. Since the time that they were denied asylum, 
Ms. Kamel's brother, who lived in the same town and suffered similar 
abuse, was granted asylum.
  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 immense and unfair hardship.
  First, in the nine years that Mr. Gabra and Ms. Kamel have lived 
here, they have worked to adjust their status through the appropriate 
legal channels. They came to the United States on a lawful visa and 
immediately notified authorities of their intent to seek asylum here. 
They have played by the rules and followed our laws.
  In addition, during those nine years, the couple has had four U.S. 
citizen children who do not speak Arabic and are unfamiliar with 
Egyptian culture. If the family is deported, the children would have to 
acclimate to a different culture, language and way of life.
  Jessica, 8, is the Gabra's oldest child, and in the Gifted and 
Talented Education program in Ventura County. Rebecca, age 7, and 
Rafael, age 6, are old enough to understand that they would be leaving 
their schools, their teachers, their friends and their home. Veronica, 
the Gabra's youngest child, is just 18 months old.
  More troubling is the very real possibility that if sent to Egypt, 
these four American children would suffer discrimination and 
persecution because of their religion, just as the rest of their family 
reports.
  Mr. Gabra and Ms. Kamel have made a positive life for themselves and 
their family in the United States. Both have earned college degrees in 
Egypt and once in the United States, Mr. Gabra passed the Certified 
Public Accountant Examination on August 4, 2003. Since arriving here, 
Mr. Gabra has consistently worked to support his family.
  The positive impact they have made on their community is highlighted 
by the fact that I received a letter of support on their behalf signed 
by 160 members of their church and community. From everything I have 
learned about the family, we can expect that they will continue to 
contribute to their community in productive ways.
  Given these extraordinary and unique facts, I ask my colleagues to 
support this private relief bill on behalf of Joseph Gabra and Sharon 
Kamel.
  In addition, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the private 
relief bill and the numerous letters of support my office has received 
from members of the Camarillo community be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 933

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, for the purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.), Joseph Gabra and Sharon Kamel shall 
     each be deemed to have been lawfully admitted to, and 
     remained in, the United States, and shall be eligible for 
     adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted 
     for permanent residence under section 245 of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1255) upon filing an 
     application for such adjustment of status.
       (b) Application and Payment of Fees.--Subsection (a) shall 
     apply only if the application for adjustment of status is 
     filed with appropriate fees not later than 2 years after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Reduction of Immigrant Visa Numbers.--Upon the granting 
     of permanent resident status to Joseph Gabra and Sharon 
     Kamel, the Secretary of State shall instruct the proper 
     officer to reduce by 2, during the current or subsequent 
     fiscal year, the total number of immigrant visas that are 
     made available to natives of the country of Joseph Gabra and 
     Sharon Kamel's birth under section 202(e) or 203(a) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1152(e), 1153(a)), 
     as applicable.
                                  ____

                                                February 14, 2007.
       Dear Mrs. Feinstein: I am writing you today to beg you for 
     help. A friend and fellow parent is scheduled for deportation 
     on Monday 2/19 at 10:00 a.m. Her name is Sharon Malak Kamel 
     Hendy (alien # A75-647-452). I was horrified to hear this 
     information. Sharon is a wonderful person and mother. She has 
     4 children: Jessica (8) who is in my son's class, Rebecca. 
     (7), Rafael (6) who is in Kindergarten with my daughter and 
     Veronica (18 months). All of the children are American 
     citizens.
       Sharon and her husband, Joseph Ayad Gabra Youssef (alien # 
     A75-647-253) came to the United States in 1998. They fled 
     their country of Egypt from terrorist threats on their lives 
     and the life of their unborn child (Jessica) due to the fact 
     that they are Christians. They have pursued all legal 
     avenues, to become citizens. Due to time lines being moved 
     up, both have been notified that deportation will occur. 
     Sharon is the first to receive the notice.
       I am mortified that the United States would deport hard 
     working people that try to stay the legal way. To top that 
     off, they parents of 4 beautiful American citizen children.
       Please help Sharon and Joseph with extensions and a way for 
     them to obtain green cards.
       Thank you for your time and consideration and May God bless 
     you.
           Sincerely,
     Sharon D. Vopat-Mitchell.
                                  ____

                                                February 14, 2007.
       Dear Senator Feinstein: I am on staff at Camarillo 
     Community Church as director of Adult Education and Family 
     Ministry and am a licensed minister. I am also a California 
     resident and a navy veteran. I am writing on behalf of the 
     Gabra family who has been a member of this congregation for 
     many years.
       Joseph and Sharon Gabra fled Egypt seeking asylum because 
     of the growing persecution of people who identify themselves 
     with Jesus Christ (Christians). This persecution historically 
     included job and housing discrimination but now is becoming 
     more detrimental to the health and safety of Christians. 
     Kidnapping, rape and murder are common responses against 
     Christians by radical, extremists Muslims in Egypt.
       Sharon Malak Kamel Hendy (Gabra) has received deportation 
     orders and is scheduled to leave Monday, February 19, 2007. 
     She would leave behind four children, all American citizens. 
     Should she take them to Egypt it would be very likely they 
     would be kidnapped or outright murdered. Joseph's case is 
     still pending but the same logic used to send Sharon back 
     would still be expected in his case.
       I see, on a daily basis, the devastating consequences of 
     raising children without a mother or father in the home. I 
     ask you to intervene on behalf of this family, particularly 
     the American raised children. Please use your influence as a 
     Senator and a spokesperson for the people of California to 
     keep Sharon in the United States and eventually giving the 
     Gabra family permanent status.
       Thank you for your consideration.
           Very respectfully,
     William J. Moyer.
                                  ____

     Re political asylum applications of Joseph Ayad Gabra Youssef 
         and Sharon Malak Kamel Hendy.

                                                Camarillo, CA,

                                                February 14, 2007.
     Senator Dianne Feinstein,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Feinstein: I am asking your immediate 
     attention to a bureaucratic problem which may put one fine 
     Christian family in terrorist hands. Time is of the essence 
     as one family member (the mother of their 4 children--ages 8, 
     7, 6 and 18 mos.), who is scheduled for deportation on 2-19-
     2007. They only received the notice on 2-6-2007; our church 
     family became aware of this problem on 2-11-2007. For your 
     information other family members have already been granted 
     political asylum in the United States. They have complied 
     with all of the laws. Again, this is a problem of 
     bureaucratic overload and we need real human intervention 
     from your office to prevent unnecessary family separation, 
     let alone possible death due to their religion convictions.
       I plead with your office to grant an extension as they have 
     been working since November 1, 1998 on this goal to become 
     citizens of the United States; from my perspective, their 
     arrival occurred three years before 9-11-2001 and they knew 
     their danger. I already call them citizens of America from my 
     heart as they have shown by their actions and

[[Page S3370]]

     commitment to be such with pride and honor.
       Thank you for your immediate attention on behalf of this 
     beautiful family as your action would show the real intent of 
     the Lady of Liberty in New York Harbor as our country is a 
     land of laws and integrity.
           Most sincerely,
     Toni Webster.
                                  ____



                                   Camarillo Community Church,

                                                February 12, 2007.
       To Whom It May Concern: Please review this deportation 
     possibility and if possible please help us with a reprieve.
       Sharon Malak Kamel Hendy (A75 647 452) has four small 
     children all born in America and is being asked to leave our 
     country back to Egypt. This seems so unreasonable to send a 
     mother of four children to a country that is unfriendly to 
     her religious preference. To separate her from her husband 
     and children seems so un-American.
       Attached is a Summary of the political asylum for you to 
     review. She has a deportation date of the 19th of February.
       Thank you for any help you can give this family. They have 
     become a part of our church family at Camarillo Community 
     Church, 1322 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, CA 93010.
                                                   Daryl Lundberg,
     Pastor of Membership Care.
                                  ____



                                                  Keith James,

                                 Camarillo, CA, February 15, 2007.
     Re Joseph & Sharon Gabra.
     Senator Diane Feinstein,
     U.S. Senate,
     San Francisco, CA.
       Dear Ms. Feinstein, I'm writing to you on behalf of Joseph 
     and Sharon Gabra, who are good friends of mine and fellow 
     members of Camarillo Community Church. The Gabras are 
     Egyptian nationals who fled Egypt in 1998 due to religious 
     persecution. As Christians in a Muslim society, they 
     experienced terrible persecution; they were threatened by 
     government officials to recant their beliefs and embrace 
     Islam, or suffer the consequences, which meant their child 
     would be taken from them and placed in a home where the child 
     would be raised in Islam. They came to the United States to 
     raise their family and begin a new life. Sharon was pregnant 
     with their first child when they arrived here on a visitor's 
     permit.
       Since coming to our country they have had four children, 
     one of whom is a good friend of my daughter, McKenna. The 
     Gabras are very involved in our church community, always 
     willing to lend a hand in the children's ministries. Joseph 
     is a college-educated accountant and one of the hardest 
     working men I know, and Sharon has a degree in social work. 
     Both are very well regarded by the people of our church.
       For several years the Gabras have worked diligently to 
     become U.S. citizens, and have done so in all the right ways, 
     but it appears they are finally out of options. Sharon 
     received a notice last week that she will be deported on 
     February 19, at which time she will be forced to leave her 
     family behind. This means four children under the age of 
     eight, including an 18-month-old, will be left in the care of 
     their father, who must continue to work full-time to support 
     his family.
       With less than a week before Sharon's deportation, I'm 
     writing to ask that you please stand for this family, that 
     you would intercede on behalf of Sharon Gabra give her family 
     a real chance at achieving their dream of a home in the 
     United States. They are the kind of people we hope will 
     become American citizens--good, honest, moral, and hard-
     working. Thank you for your consideration.
           Best regards,
     Keith James.
                                  ____



                                   Camarillo Community Church,

                                                    Camarillo, CA.
       To the Hon. Senator Dianne Feinstein: I am writing in 
     regard to Joseph Ayad Gabra Youssef (A 75 647 253) and his 
     wife Sharon Malak Kamel Hendy (A 75 647 452). This Christian 
     couple has applied for asylum in the United States because 
     their lives were threatened by Moslem terrorists in their 
     home country of Egypt. They fled Egypt in 1998 when Sharon 
     was pregnant with their first child, hoping to find a safe 
     place to raise their children. They have been seeking asylum 
     here in the U.S, but the process has been slow and difficult. 
     They now have four children and the children are all citizens 
     of the United States, having been born here. This is a 
     wonderful young family that has become a valued part of our 
     church and community, but they are now being threatened with 
     immediate deportation. Our entire church congregation is very 
     concerned for the welfare of this family and fearful of the 
     consequence of their return to Egypt. Please, we earnestly 
     request your help in assisting this family.
           Sincerely,
                                                Ralph Rittenhouse,
     Senior Pastor.
                                  ____



                                   Camarillo Community Church,

                                                February 14, 2007.
       Senator Barbara Feinstein: I faxed a note to you yesterday 
     and apparently the bottom portion of the note was cut off in 
     the fax so I am resending the fax with this, a more detailed 
     letter. Yesterday's note was written in a hurry because of 
     the urgent nature of this request.
       I am a Licensed Minister, Pastor of Children's Ministries 
     at Camarillo Community Church in Camarillo, California. I 
     have held this position for two years and prior to that I was 
     the director of a Preschool and After School Program at 
     Trinity Presbyterian Church in Camarillo, California. I have 
     a true love and desire to see young children grow to become 
     confident, successful adults and know that it is only in 
     building up the child that we avoid the difficult task of 
     rebuilding the broken man. The issue I am bringing to your 
     attention deals with the brokenness of man which is now 
     impacting the lives of four children and their parents who 
     have become very precious to me and the community of 
     Camarillo.
       It is hard for me, as an American, to truly grasp the 
     dangers Christians face in the Muslim world; however, the 
     threats that caused Sharon Malak Kamel Hendy (A 75 647 253) 
     and Joseph Ayad Gabra Youssef (A 75 647 452) to flee Egypt 
     were real and continue to be present for them should they be 
     forced to leave our country. The evil caused by children who 
     have been raised in hatred, towards Americans and/or non 
     Muslims, who have now become adults in leadership--
     terrorists--is REAL. Until we can break the cycle of hatred 
     and replace it with love and respect one for another 
     regardless of birth place or faith we will continue to 
     struggle with adults filled with evil. In the meantime we 
     must do all we can to protect those in our area from the 
     evils of terrorism.
       Although the Gabra family has been active within our 
     church, it was not until Sunday, February 11, 2007 that we 
     became aware of the gravity of their situation. They have 
     been trying to handle the issue on their own so as not to be 
     a burden to anyone. They came to America for Safety rather 
     than financial gain and do not wish to be a burden on our 
     society. I do not understand the legal hoops that have to be 
     jumped to keep Sharon from deportation on February 19, 2007--
     but I do know that the family has been attempting to meet the 
     requirements and jump through the hoops ever since their 
     arrival in 1999. It seems that they have, up to this point, 
     received less than appropriate or fair treatment in our court 
     system.
       The children, Jessica, age 8, Rebecca, age 7, Raphael, age 
     6 and Veronica, 18 months are all American born, English 
     speaking children. They fit the profile of typical American 
     children, attending public school, active in our children's 
     ministries programs on Sundays and weekdays for AWANA and 
     other children's events. Without knowledge of their parent's 
     birthplace, one would never know there was a difference 
     between them and their American born peers. They are a family 
     who treasures one another and desires to be a blessing to 
     those around them in a safe society. The deportation of their 
     mother to Egypt--a place where her, her husband's, and the 
     life of their unborn first child were threatened unless they 
     turn from Christianity and return to Islam--would be 
     devastating.
       It is my hope that you will be able to use your legal 
     authority to stop the deportation scheduled for February 19, 
     2007. Know that there are many in Camarillo depending on your 
     leadership to help in this matter. We commit to follow the 
     laws of our country in order to bring this family to safety. 
     We are asking for the time to help them fulfill the 
     requirements.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Elaine Francisco,
     Pastor of Children's Ministries.
                                  ____

                                                February 12, 2007.
       Dear Senator Feinstein: I hope that you will please take 
     the time to read this letter for immediate help to the Gabra 
     family. The mother of this family is scheduled to be deported 
     on 2/19/2007 and the father fears the same. The big problem 
     is that the family has four children between the ages of 8 
     years and 18 months and are all American Citizens. This 
     family fled Egypt in 1998 because they were pregnant with 
     their first child and were threatened to have their child 
     taken from them because of their Christian beliefs. They came 
     on a visitor's visa and did all the required steps to become 
     legal. After 9/11/2001 they thought they would have a better 
     chance, but by then they were allowing only one Judge to 
     review the cases instead of 3 which shortened the time for 
     accomplishing the same number of cases. By the law they 
     became illegal and were subject to deportation.
       Only the Mother, Sharon Malak Kamel Hendy (Alien Number: A 
     75-647-452) received notice of deportation. She is to be 
     deported 2/19/2007. This would leave her husband Joseph Ayad 
     Gabra Youssef (Alien Number: A 75-647-253) here to work and 
     care for 4 children from age 8 yrs. to 18 months. His 
     deportation notice will probably come next and this will lead 
     to danger for the children. If this happens, the children 
     would suffer the most in Egypt from the Terrorists because 
     they only speak English.
       I have taught Sunday school to 3 of their children and they 
     are a lovely, hard working, honest family and want to become 
     citizens. If they are deported their lives are in danger. 
     Also, as Christians, they will not be able to find 
     employment. The children are as follows: Jessica Gabra--8 
     years; Rebecca Gabra--7 years; Rafael Gabra--6 years; 
     Veronica Gabra--18 months.
       Please help us to get an extension for Sharon and a way for 
     them to get green cards. They are the kind of people our 
     country would be proud to have as citizens.
       I'm pleading with you to help us. I know the time is short, 
     but they just received the

[[Page S3371]]

     deportation notice 6 days ago. We would be forever in your 
     debt if you can help the Gabra Family. This family is fearing 
     for their lives and safety right now.
           Sincerely,
     Linda Davis.
                                  ____

                                                John F. Laubacher,


                                  Certified Public Accountant,

                                     Camarillo, CA, Feb. 11, 2007.
     Senator Dianne Feinstein.
       Dear Senator Feinstein: I am writing this on behalf of my 
     friend and fellow CPA Joseph Gabra and his family. His wife 
     has been ordered to appear on Feb. 19th for deportation. I 
     have known the Gabra family for a number of years and am 
     writing in hopes that you will intervenue on his wife's 
     behalf and either: a. Seek a stay of execution of the order 
     to deport Mrs. Gabra; or b. Help them to arrange a green card 
     to allow her to remain in the U.S.
       Mr. Gabra is a great asset to our community. He is employed 
     by a client of mine as an accountant and I have seen 
     firsthand the tremendous integrity and thoroughness that he 
     brings to his job each day. He is a wonderful example to his 
     co-workers and the general public.
       Joseph was not always working as an accountant here even 
     though he is a CPA in his native country. Finding work as an 
     accountant was difficult due to a speech impediment. But he 
     has always been a hard worker, taking manual labor jobs to 
     stay off any public assistance. He has now been working in 
     his field and my client is thrilled with the job he is doing. 
     In addition, he travels to Cal State Northridge to get help 
     with his speech problem.
       Mrs. Gabra is a homemaker and takes care of their four 
     children that range from 8 years old to 18 months. She is 
     involved at our church as well in a number of programs. The 
     family has been a great addition to my church and the 
     Camarillo community in general.
       But if Mrs. Gabra is deported, the damage will not just be 
     to the community. There is danger that faces the family if 
     they are returned to Egypt. Mr. Gabra will not be able to 
     find work there because he is a Christian. The family will 
     face incredible persecution. The kids are U.S. citizens who 
     will suffer if they are sent to Egypt because they do not 
     speake the language and they are Christians, not Muslim. They 
     could be forced to convert to Islam or be killed. The girls 
     face a barbaric ritual of female circumcision. They are 
     dedicated to each other as a family. So, while Mrs. Gabra is 
     the only one being forced to leave at this time, splitting up 
     the family into two countries is simply not an option.
       Senator, Mr. Gabra is a man of faith. He is confident that 
     God will provide a rcsolution to this problem. I, too, am a 
     man of faith. But I believe that perhaps God will use you to 
     provide the miracle that the Gabra family needs now in order 
     to stay together. I am asking you to intercede on their 
     behalf.
       Thank you and your staff for taking the time to read this 
     and consider my request. He's a good man. They are a good 
     family. And they deserve better than the death sentence the 
     U.S. Government is giving them. His letter follows along with 
     the order from the Dept. of Homeland Security. Please help.
           Very truly yours,
                                           John F. Laubacher, CPA.
                                 ______