[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 16, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H8137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             ESTHER KARINGE

  The Clerk called the bill (H.R. 1485) for the relief of Esther 
Karinge.
  There being no objection, the Clerk read the bill as follows:

                               H.R. 1485

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

     SECTION 1. PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR ESTHER KARINGE.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of 
     section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Esther 
     Karinge shall be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa 
     or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully 
     admitted for permanent residence upon filing an application 
     for issuance of an immigrant visa under section 204 of such 
     Act or for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.
       (b) Adjustment of Status.--If Esther Karinge enters the 
     United States before the filing deadline specified in 
     subsection (c), she shall be considered to have entered and 
     remained lawfully and shall, if otherwise eligible, be 
     eligible for adjustment of status under section 245 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act as of the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (c) Deadline for Application and Payment of Fees.--
     Subsections (a) and (b) shall apply only if the application 
     for issuance of an immigrant visa or the application for 
     adjustment of status is filed with appropriate fees within 2 
     years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (d) Reduction of Immigrant Visa Number.--Upon the granting 
     of an immigrant visa or permanent residence to Esther 
     Karinge, the Secretary of State shall instruct the proper 
     officer to reduce by 1, during the current or next following 
     fiscal year, the total number of immigrant visas that are 
     made available to natives of the country of the alien's birth 
     under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     or, if applicable, the total number of immigrant visas that 
     are made available to natives of the country of the alien's 
     birth under section 202(e) of such Act.
       (e) Denial of Preferential Immigration Treatment for 
     Certain Relatives.--The natural parents, brothers, and 
     sisters of Esther Karinge shall not, by virtue of such 
     relationship, be accorded any right, privilege, or status 
     under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1485. I 
commend Chairman Conyers, Subcommittee Chairman Lofgren, and 
Representative Boucher for their tireless work on this most important 
legislation.
  I am particularly pleased that the bill we are voting on today gives 
Ms. Esther Karinge, a constituent in my district, an opportunity to 
escape persecution in Kenya and live freely with her son in the United 
States.
  While living in Kenya with her uncle--a local political official--
Esther and her family received harassment and death threats during a 
time of tremendous political unrest still present in the region. Esther 
left her home and sought out protection in the United States in 1994.
  Esther's case, while strong enough on the grounds that she faced 
persecution or worse in Kenya, is further complicated by the fact that 
not long after arriving in the United States, Esther gave birth to her 
son Nicholas. Nicholas was born prematurely, and was diagnosed with 
cerebral palsy and deafness. As a single parent to Nicholas, who is 
wheelchair bound, Esther has gone above and beyond for her now 11-year-
old child, who has relied solely on his mother for survival. Because of 
Nicholas's perseverance, and the unconditional love and support of 
Esther, doctors believe that Nicholas may someday walk on his own.
  Esther has worked hard to secure a better life for herself and her 
son, while becoming an important part of our community in Malden. For 
several years, Esther served at the Refugee Immigration Ministry in 
Malden, Massachusetts, as a case manager working with women who fled 
their countries for the same reason she did--fear of persecution. 
Esther also serves as a member of the board of directors for the 
Immigrant Learning Center, a not-for-profit offering English language 
classes in my district.
  Today, we are one step closer to protecting the life of Esther, and 
the great potential of her son Nicholas. Again, I would like to thank 
Chairman Conyers, Subcommittee Chairman Lofgren, and Representative 
Boucher for their commitment to this body and legislation. I urge 
adoption of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the 
table.

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