[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 7, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1643-S1644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 557. A bill for the relief of Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, 
Micaela

[[Page S1644]]

Lopez Martinez, and Adilene Martinez; to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing private 
immigration relief legislation to provide lawful permanent resident 
status to Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela Lopez Martinez, and 
their daughter, Adilene Martinez. This family is originally from Mexico 
but has been living in California for over 20 years. I believe they 
merit Congress's special consideration for this extraordinary form of 
relief.
  When Jose came to the United States from Mexico, he began working as 
a busboy in restaurants in San Francisco, CA. In 1990, he started 
working as a cook at Palio D'Asti, an award-winning Italian restaurant 
in San Francisco.
  Jose worked his way through the ranks, eventuall becoming Palio's 
sous chef. His colleagues describe him as a reliable and cool-headed 
coworker and as ``an exemplary employee'' who not only is ``good at his 
job but is also a great boss to his subordinates.''
  He and his wife Micaela call San Francisco home. Micaela is a 
homemaker and part-time housekeeper. They have three daughters, two of 
whom are U.S. citizens. Their oldest daughter, Adilene, age 28, is 
undocumented. She currently works fulltime at a cinema and hopes to 
continue pursuing her studies in the future.
  The Martinez's second daughter, Jazmin, age 24, is a U.S. citizen. 
She graduated from Leadership High School and is now studying at 
California State University, San Francisco. Jazmin has been diagnosed 
with asthma, which requires constant treatment. According to her 
doctor, if Jazmin were to return to Mexico with her family, the high 
altitude and air pollution in Mexico City could be fatal to her. The 
Martinez's other U.S. citizen daughter, Karla, is 19 years old and 
attends San Francisco City College.
  The Martinez family attempted to legalize their status through 
several channels.
  In 2001, Jose's sister, who has legal status, petitioned for Jose to 
get a green card. However, the current green card backlog for siblings 
from Mexico is very long, and it will be many years before Jose will be 
eligible to legalize his status though his sister.
  In 2002, the Martinez family applied for political asylum. Their 
application was denied. An immigration judge denied their subsequent 
application for cancellation of removal.
  Finally, Daniel Scherotter, the executive chef and owner of Palio 
D'Asti, petitioned for an employment-based green card for Jose based 
upon his unique skills as a chef. Jose's petition was approved by U.S. 
Citizenship and Immigration Services. However, before he will be 
eligible for a green card, he must apply for a hardship waiver, which 
cannot be guaranteed.
  The Martinez family has become an integral part of their community in 
California. They are active in their faith community. They volunteer 
with community-based organizations and are, in turn, supported by their 
community. When I first introduced this bill, I received dozens of 
letters of support from their fellow parishioners, teachers, and 
members of their community.
  The Martinez family truly exemplifies the American dream. Jose worked 
his way through the restaurant industry to become a chef and an 
indispensable employee at a renowned restaurant. With great dedication, 
Micaela has worked hard to raise three daughters who are advancing 
their education and look forward to continuing the pursuit of their 
goals.
  I believe the Martinez family's continued presence in the United 
States would allow them to continue making significant contributions to 
their community in California.
  I ask my colleagues to support this private bill.
                                 ______