[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 149 (Tuesday, November 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF SENATE AMENDMENT 4587 TO H.R. 5283 ``HELP HAITI 
                             ACT OF 2010''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
House Resolution 5283 and the Senate Amendment 4587 that is ``to 
provide for adjustment of status for certain Haitian orphans paroled 
into the United States after the earthquake of January 12, 2010.'' I 
would like to begin by thanking Congressman Fortenberry for introducing 
this resolution, as it is so important for the United States to 
normalize the immigration process for the adopted Haitian orphans after 
the tragic January earthquake. The Haitian orphans that were adopted by 
American families after the earthquake should not have to wait in legal 
limbo to become permanent residents of the United States; there were 
obvious extenuating circumstances that prevented the adoptions from 
being finalized in Haitian courts.
  Without the passing of the Help HAITI Act of 2010, Haitian orphans 
that have fortunately been adopted by welcoming American families face 
a two-year limbo with fewer legal protections, ineligibility for 
critical resources, and at the very worst, a forcible return to the 
ravaged country of Haiti if something unexpected were to happen to the 
adoptive parents. The Haitian orphans are currently awaiting crucial 
paperwork that will provide them with basic resources, such as allowing 
them to receive health care and to enroll in school. These children 
have already suffered the tragic loss of their families in Haiti in the 
aftermath of the earthquake--we should assist in any way we can to 
expedite this adoption and immigration process. In doing so, we can 
help these families begin their new lives in the United States.
  I am a strong proponent of this resolution, because it will allow the 
Haitian orphans to become legal permanent residents and eventually to 
gain U.S. citizenship. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 
this because it is an important resolution in which we can stand 
together and support the orphaned children in their adoption process. 
There are over one thousand children who are subject to this legal 
limbo--that is far too great of a number of adopted children who must 
wait two years for permanent resident status. Additionally, this 
resolution will help minimize the staff, monetary, and other resources 
demands for the Department of Homeland Security's United States 
Citizenship and Immigration Service.
  At this point in time, the people of Haiti are in desperate need of 
international assistance. We have a responsibility to prevent the 
evacuation of these orphaned children because of a legal technicality. 
The people of Haiti are suffering now, more than ever, with the 
devastating earthquake of January, Hurricane Tomas of October, and now 
the cholera outbreak that is threatening the lives of millions. The 
cholera outbreak that emerged within the Artibonite region on October 
21 has now resulted in more than 14,000 hospitalizations and tragically 
more than 900 deaths. The children who were fortunately adopted in the 
wake of the January earthquake should not have to face such a dire 
humanitarian crisis. The Help HAITI Act will do exactly that; it will 
expedite and normalize these orphaned children's journey to a new 
family. In the same vein, the United States should be helping its 
neighbors in need with humanitarian assistance, and additionally 
working hard towards preventing any more unnecessary deaths.
  With the passing of this resolution, the orphaned children from Haiti 
will be able to securely begin their lives in the United States. This 
bill will assure a normalization of the Haitian children, and will 
allow their status to be adjusted to permanent resident. Furthermore, 
the Help HAITI Act of 2010 will provide legal certainty and protections 
for these evacuated Haitian orphans, because it removes an obstacle for 
their adoptive families. This is an important bill for the families 
across America who have opened their homes and welcomed the children 
who were in special need of a family after the January earthquakes.

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