[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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