[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 73 (Friday, May 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE PRIVATE IMMIGRATION RELIEF LEGISLATION OF 2007

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2007

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, today I rise to introduce a private 
immigration relief bill for several Chicagoans who remain in daily 
jeopardy because they seek a path to citizenship in the United States.
  Over the past few years, I have met with several residents in my 
community and heard detailed accounts of abuse by the Department of 
Homeland Security and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
  I was told stories of children being ripped from the arms of their 
parents by immigration enforcement officers toting machine guns and 
aiming their weapons at family members.
  I was told stories of mothers who had lived in the United States for 
years, bore children, paid taxes and owned homes--but still faced 
deportation because they hadn't met all the standards required for 
citizenship in our country.
  There were numerous stories of immigrants who were being sponsored by 
their sick and ailing family members--mothers, husbands, children and 
babies; who were thrown off the path towards citizenship because of 
tragic illnesses resulting in death.
  Madam Speaker, we all understand the debate on illegal immigration 
strikes considerable emotion and debate; however, my legislation today 
is in support of average people who were trying to do the right thing.
  Every name on this private bill: Elvira Arellano, Juan Carlos 
Arreguin, Martin Guerrero Barrios, Maria I. Benitez, Francisco J. 
Castro, Jaime Cruz, Martha Davalos, Herminio Davalos, Adan Disifredo 
Delvalle, Angel Espinosa, Veronica Lopez, Francisca Lino, Maria A. 
Martin, Juan Jose Mesa, Maria Natividad Loza, Blanca E. Nolte, Domenico 
Papaianni, Romina Perea, Juan Jose Rangel, Sr., Dayron S. Rios Arenas, 
Araceli Zepeda, Doris Oneida Ulloa and Bladimir I. Caballero, Arnulfo 
Alfaro, Consuelo and Juan Manuel Castellanos, Eliseo Pulido, Gilberto 
Romero, Maria Liliana Rua-Saenz, Tomas F. Martinez-Garcia, Flor 
Crisostomo; Fatuma Karuma, Stanislaw Rychtarczyk, Slobodan Radanovich, 
Agustin Sanchez-Dominguez, are victims of circumstance.
  They all want a chance to stay with their families in the United 
States, make an honest living and pursue the American dream. I call on 
my colleagues to support this legislation and the immediate 
consideration of immigrant visas, adjustments of status for permanent 
residence, and practical paths towards citizenship for the above 
immigrants.

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