[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 152 (Friday, November 19, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8129-S8130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
S. 3977. A bill for the relief of Shing Ma ``Steve'' Li; to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today I am introducing a private
relief bill on behalf of Shing Ma ``Steve'' Li. Steve Li is a Peruvian
national who, until his recent detention, lived in San Francisco,
California. He was brought to the United States as a child and is now a
student at City College of San Francisco hoping to become a nurse.
I decided to introduce a private bill on Steve's behalf because I
believe his removal would be unjust before the Senate gets a chance to
vote on the DREAM Act. It is my sincere hope that Congress will
consider and pass the DREAM Act before the end of this year. This
important legislation would allow youngsters such as Steve Li to
continue making a contribution to the United States, the country that
they grew up in and call home.
Beginning with the new session in January, all of my bills are
reviewed and evaluated for reintroduction.
Each year, approximately 65,000 undocumented youth graduate from
American high schools. Most of these undocumented youth did not make a
choice to come to the United States; they were brought by their
parents. Many of these young people grew up in the United States and
have little or no memory of the countries they came from. They are hard
working young people dedicated to their education or serving in the
Nation's military. They have stayed out of trouble. Some are
valedictorians and honor roll students. Some are community leaders and
have an unwavering commitment to serving the United States.
Steve Li is one such student.
Steve was only 12 years old when his parents brought him to the
United States. Like many other DREAM Act eligible youngsters, Steve
didn't have a choice to come to the United States, he came with his
parents.
Steve's parents are Chinese nationals who fled China to Peru to
escape economic oppression and the Chinese government's policies on
reproductive rights. From China, Steve's parents went to Peru, where he
was born. The family then sought asylum in the United States, which was
denied.
Steve was ordered removed along with his parents; however, according
to his mother and himself, he was never told about the denial or his
illegal status.
So, Steve didn't know he was in the United States illegally or that
his family had been ordered to leave. He went through all of his
teenage years in the United States believing he was here legally.
This past September, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents
arrived at his home early one morning in September and took him into
custody for removal to Peru. That is apparently when he learned about
his illegal status. He has remained in detention in Arizona since
October 8th. Steve's parents have been ordered to leave the United
States and return to China. They cannot accompany their son to Peru.
Steve attended George Washington High School in San Francisco. While
there, he was enrolled in the Honor's Program. Steve was an athlete on
the cross country and track team. He worked for the school newspaper as
a reporter, editor, and cameraman.
Steve also served his high school community by providing
presentations to other students on the risks of drinking and driving
and sexually transmitted diseases at the wellness center at George
Washington High School. Steve graduated high school in 2008 and
enrolled at City College of San Francisco to pursue a career in
nursing.
City College of San Francisco awarded Steve the Goldman Scholarship,
which covers the cost of his tuition. Steve has continued his active
involvement in his community, joining the Asian American Student
Success Center and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Program, which is a two-year outreach and educational support program.
This past summer, Steve attended the San Francisco State University
Summer Science Institute, which provided a year-long internship to
prepare him for a career in health care upon his graduation from
college.
My staff has talked with his parents and with Steve in the detention
facility. It appears to me that the only positive future for Steve is
that he be able to finish his education and remain in this country--at
least until the DREAM Act is considered by the Congress. There is no
future elsewhere.
With this in mind, I introduce this bill. It is an act of compassion
for one young person whose only hope is America. He knows no one, or
has he any roots, elsewhere.
Educators working with Steve have highlighted his potential for
giving back to the United States, while his friends and other community
members contacted me about the impact his compassion and helpfulness
has had on his community. Enactment of the legislation I am introducing
on behalf of Steve Li will enable him to continue to remain in the
United States for the time being.
Steve Li's case demonstrates why we need to pass the DREAM Act now
and I am pleased that Leader Reid has announced that it will be brought
to the floor in December. I will reevaluate this case in January.
I ask my colleagues to support this private bill.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3977
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 SHING MA ``STEVE''
LI.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law
or any order, for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.), Shing Ma ``Steve'' Li shall be--
(1) deemed to have been lawfully admitted to, and remained
in, the United States; and
(2) eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for
adjustment of status under section 245 of such Act (8 U.S.C.
1255).
(b) Application and Payment of Fees.--Subsection (a) shall
apply only if the applications for issuance of an immigrant
visa or for adjustment of status are 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 an immigrant visa to Shing Ma ``Steve'' Li, 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 birth of Shing Ma ``Steve'' Li under--
(1) section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1153(a); or
(2) section 202(e) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1152(e)), if
applicable.
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