[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       A BILL FOR THE RELIEF OF MYONG MOK BAE AND KEI ZA RYU BAE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2016

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce a bill to provide relief 
for Mr. Myong Mok Bae and Mrs. Kei Za Ryu Bae. Mr. and Mrs. Bae are 
eighteen-year residents of Guam, who currently face removal by the 
Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
(ICE).
  The Baes came to the United States in June 1997 as immigrant 
entrepreneurs. Although unforeseen natural disasters and economic 
hardships hampered the success of their investment, the Baes remained 
active members of the Guam community. They continue to serve as 
goodstanding members of the community who have no criminal history and 
pose no risk to public safety or national security.
  Removal of the Baes would cause them to suffer extreme hardship. The 
Baes arrived in Guam from Korea, a country which they have now not seen 
in 15 years. They are an elderly couple with no family or community in 
Korea, and with no means of gainful employment at this stage in their 
lives.
  This bill would provide the Baes relief from this extreme hardship by 
establishing their eligibility, under the Immigration and 
Naturalization Act, for either an immigrant visa, or an adjustment of 
status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, 
or an adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident. The 
bill provides a timeline of two years to allow the Baes to file, and 
pay the applicable fees, for the appropriate status. Finally, the bill 
reduces by two, the total number of immigrant visas that are made 
available to those whose country of origin is Korea.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to advance this legislation to relieve the Baes from the extreme 
hardship that would result from their removal, and to allow them to 
remain in the United States--the place they have lived for nearly two 
decades and the place they call their home.

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