[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 9 (Monday, January 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  JUSTICE FOR THE PERRONE-LEMOS FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 24, 2011

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I recently introduced a private bill (H.R. 
355) on behalf of two extraordinary individuals, Pablo Perrone and 
Cristina Lemos.
  In 1987, Pablo and Cristina, labor union leaders in Uruguay, were 
persecuted by the radical socialist group, the Tupamaros. After 
receiving multiple death threats for refusing to join forces with the 
group, they fled to the United States and immediately claimed asylum 
after entry. Due to an incompetent lawyer, the judge denied their 
asylum cases. An appeal was made but was mishandled by the lawyer and 
eventually lost by the Department of Justice for 10 years. As a result 
of this injustice, Pablo and Cristina were never given an opportunity 
to state their case, a case that if heard, would have granted them 
lawful presence in the United States.
  Now, over 20 years later, the same party that persecuted Pablo and 
Cristina is now in power. Pablo and Cristina have two U.S. citizen 
daughters, Loredana and Victoria, who speak limited Spanish and have 
lived in San Diego, California all their lives as excellent students. 
As contributing members of their community, Pablo and Cristina pay 
taxes every year and devote countless hours to community service. Pablo 
and Cristina have no living family members in Uruguay. If deported, 
they will be forced to take their two U.S. citizen daughters with them, 
to a country where they risk persecution, and face exceptional 
economic, educational, and emotional hardship.

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