[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 39 (Monday, March 18, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1894-S1895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 584. A bill for the relief of Jorge Rojas Gutierrez, Olivia 
Gonzalez Gonzalez, and Jorge Rojas Gonzalez; to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing a private 
relief bill on behalf of Jorge Rojas Gutierrez, his wife, Oliva 
Gonzalez Gonzalez, and their son, Jorge Rojas Gonzalez, Jr. The Rojas 
family, originally from Mexico, is living in the San Jose area of 
California.
  The story of the Rojas family is compelling, and I believe they merit 
Congress' special consideration for such an extraordinary form of 
relief as a private bill.
  Jorge and his wife, Oliva, originally came to the United States in 
1990 when their son Jorge Rojas, Jr. was just 2 years old. In 1995, 
they left the country to attend a funeral, and then re-entered the 
United States on visitor's visas.
  The family has since expanded to include two sons, Alexis Rojas, now 
20 years old, Matias, now 3 years old, a daughter Tania Rojas, now age 
18, and a granddaughter, Mina Rojas, who is 3 years old.
  The Rojas family first attempted to legalize their status in the 
United States when an unscrupulous immigration consultant, who was not 
an attorney, advised them to apply for asylum. Unfortunately, without 
proper legal guidance, this family did not realize at the time that 
they lacked a valid basis for asylum. The asylum claim was denied in 
2008, leaving the Rojas family with no further options to legalize 
their status.
  Since their arrival in the United States more than 20 years ago, the 
Rojas family has demonstrated a robust work ethic and a strong 
commitment to their community in California. They have paid their taxes 
and worked hard to contribute to this country.
  Jorge is a hard-working individual who has been employed by Valley 
Crest Landscape Maintenance in San Jose, California, for the past 16 
years. Currently, he works on commercial landscaping projects. Jorge is 
well-respected by his supervisor and his peers.
  In addition to supporting his family, Jorge has volunteered his time 
to provide modern green landscaping and building projects at his 
children's school in California. He is active in his neighborhood 
association, where he worked with his neighbors to open a library and 
community center in their community.
  Oliva, in addition to raising her three children, has also been very 
active in the local community. She volunteers with the People Acting in 
Community Together, PACT, organization, where she works to prevent 
crime, gangs and drug dealing in San Jose neighborhoods and schools.
  Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons for permitting the Rojas 
family to remain in the United States is the impact that their 
deportation would have on their four children. Three of the Rojas 
children, Alexis, Tanya, and Matias are American citizens. Jorge Rojas, 
Jr. has lived in the United States since he was a toddler.
  For Alexis, Tanya, Matias and Jorge Jr., this country is the only 
country they really know. Jorge Rojas, Jr., who entered the United 
States as an infant with his parents, recently became a father. He is 
now 24 years old and working at a job that allows him to support his 
daughter, Mina. Jorge Jr. graduated from Del Mar High School in 2007.
  Alexis, age 20, graduated from Del Mar High School and is now a 
student at West Valley College in Saratoga, California. He is 
interested in studying linguistics. Tania, age 18, recently graduated 
from Del Mar High School and is in her first year at West Valley 
College. Their teachers describe them as ``fantastic, wonderful and 
gifted'' students.
  It seems so clear to me that this family has embraced the American 
dream and their continued presence in our country would do so much to 
enhance the values we hold dear.
  When I first introduced this bill, I received dozens of letters from 
the community in Northern California in support of this family. 
Enactment of this private bill legislation will enable the Rojas family 
to continue to make significant contributions to their community as 
well as the United States.
  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. 584

       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 JORGE ROJAS 
                   GUTIERREZ, OLIVA GONZALEZ GONZALEZ, AND JORGE 
                   ROJAS GONZALEZ.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of 
     section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1151), Jorge Rojas Gutierrez, Oliva Gonzalez Gonzalez, and 
     Jorge Rojas Gonzalez shall each be eligible for the 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

[[Page S1895]]

     204 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1154) or for adjustment of status 
     to lawful permanent resident.
       (b) Adjustment of Status.--If Jorge Rojas Gutierrez, Oliva 
     Gonzalez Gonzalez, or Jorge Rojas Gonzalez enters the United 
     States before the filing deadline specified in subsection 
     (c), Jorge Rojas Gutierrez, Oliva Gonzalez Gonzalez, or Jorge 
     Rojas Gonzalez, as appropriate, shall be considered to have 
     entered and remained lawfully in the United States and shall 
     be eligible for adjustment of status under section 245 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1255) 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 the issuance of an immigrant visa or the application for 
     adjustment of status is filed with appropriate fees not later 
     than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (d) Reduction of Immigrant Visa Numbers.--Upon granting an 
     immigrant visa or permanent residence to Jorge Rojas 
     Gutierrez, Oliva Gonzalez Gonzalez, and Jorge Rojas Gonzalez, 
     the Secretary of State shall instruct the proper officer to 
     reduce by 3, during the current or subsequent fiscal year, 
     the total number of immigrant visas that are made available 
     to natives of the country of birth of Jorge Rojas Gutierrez, 
     Oliva Gonzalez Gonzalez, and Jorge Rojas Gonzalez under 
     section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1153(a)) or, if applicable, the total number of 
     immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the 
     country of birth of Jorge Rojas Gutierrez, Oliva Gonzalez 
     Gonzalez, and Jorge Rojas Gonzalez under section 202(e) of 
     such Act (8 U.S.C. 1152(e)).
       (e) PAYGO.--The budgetary effects of this Act, for the 
     purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 
     2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest 
     statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' 
     for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional 
     Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, 
     provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the 
     vote on passage.
                                 ______