[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 127 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SUPPORT FOR JUAN AND ALEX GOMEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of Juan and 
Alex Gomez, two brave and talented young men in Miami who are 
struggling to remain in the United States and contribute to the only 
country they have ever really known as their homeland.
  Juan and Alex Gomez came to the United States from Colombia when they 
were just toddlers. Throughout their lives they worked hard in school 
and played by the rules.
  A model student, Juan is now 18 years old and he recently graduated 
at the top of his class from Miami Killian High School. Juan earned 
high scores on 15 Advanced Placement exams and a nearly perfect score 
on the SAT.
  Just a few days ago, Juan was looking forward to beginning college at 
Miami Dade College's Honors College. But sadly, today Juan and his 
family are at risk of deportation.
  Juan's friends and classmates learned of his imminent deportation and 
decided to take matters into their own hands. Twelve teenage friends 
quickly organized a trip to Washington to enlist the support of Members 
of Congress. Madam Speaker, yesterday I met with Juan's classmates.
  The passion and determination with which these students advocated on 
behalf of their friend is nothing short of inspirational. Working with 
immigration lawyers, members of the press, and Congressional offices, 
Juan's friends are advocating for a fair immigration policy while 
emphasizing the benefits Juan and Alex bring to the United States and 
vice versa.
  I commend these young people for their true leadership and true 
public service; they are an inspiration for their entire generation. 
Because of their outreach to Members of Congress from Florida on both 
sides of the aisle, and the support of several others, we learned 
yesterday that the Gomez boys have received a 45-day temporary stay of 
deportation.
  I thank and commend my colleagues who have diligently worked to 
intervene on behalf of Juan and Alex.
  Senator Bill Nelson, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Congresswoman 
Zoe Lofgren, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Congressman Mario 
Diaz-Balart have worked in a bipartisan fashion to bring justice to the 
teenagers.
  Throughout the next month, we must continue to work with immigration 
officials to make sure that Juan and Alex can remain in the United 
States.
  This case brings increased attention to the need for Congress to pass 
legislation like the DREAM Act, which would allow students like Juan 
and Alex, who have grown up in the United States and are pursuing 
higher education or military service, the opportunity to realize the 
American dream.
  In this increasingly competitive market, the United States must not 
forfeit the talent that students like Juan and Alex can contribute to 
our Nation.
  Additionally, one has to question what is going on in our system, 
when rather than focusing their limited resources on criminals who are 
here illegally, our immigration officials are going after academic all-
stars like Juan Gomez.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to close with Juan's own words describing 
the motivation that has kept him and Alex optimistic despite all odds.
  Juan wrote, ``Our whole family has worked hard in order to better 
ourselves in the country we call home. Academically, we have both 
strived and succeeded with hopes that our accomplishments would 
outshine our immigration status. All of our hard work will hopefully 
allow us to continue living and contributing to this wonderful 
country.''
  I call on my colleagues to learn more about this case and to work to 
enact legislation that will allow talented students like Juan and Alex, 
who have benefited from our Nation's public education system, to 
continue to contribute to the country that has given them hope.

                          ____________________