[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 7, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S1645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 560. A bill for the relief of Jorge Rojas Gutierrez and Oliva 
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 and his wife, Oliva 
Gonzalez. 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's special consideration for such an extraordinary form of 
relief as a private bill.
  Jorge and 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 reentered the United States on 
visitors' visas.
  The family has grown to include three U.S. citizen children: Alexis, 
now 24 years old, Tanya, 22 years old, and Matias, now 7 years old. 
Jorge and Oliva are also the grandparents of Meena Rojas.
  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, the family did not realize at the time that they 
lacked a valid basis for asylum. Their 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 
BrightView Landscaping Services, formerly known as Valley Crest 
Landscape Maintenance, in San Jose, CA, for the past 20 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, through which 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.
  Jorge Rojas, Jr., who entered the United States as an infant with his 
parents, is now the father of 6-year-old Meena. He is 28 years old and 
working at a job that allows him to support his daughter. Jorge 
graduated from Del Mar High School in 2007. He has obtained temporary 
protection from deportation through the 2012 Deferred Action for 
Childhood Arrivals, DACA, Program.
  Alexis, age 24, graduated from West Valley College in Saratoga, CA, 
and is interested in continuing his linguistics studies at San Jose 
State University. Tanya, age 22, is now in her second semester at San 
Jose State University. Their teachers have described them as 
``fantastic, wonderful and gifted'' students.
  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--American citizens. Additionally, 
Jorge Rojas, Jr., has lived in the United States since he was a 
toddler. America is the only country these children have called home. 
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 
promote 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 the legislation I have reintroduced today will keep this 
great family together and enable each of them to continue making 
significant contributions to their community as well as the United 
States.
  I ask my colleagues to support this private bill.
                                 ______