[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. 559. A bill for the relief of Alfredo Plascencia Lopez; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to offer legislation to 
provide lawful permanent residence status to Alfredo Plascencia Lopez, 
a Mexican national who lives in the San Bruno area of California.
  I offer legislation on his behalf because I believe that, without it, 
this hard-working man, wife who is a lawful permanent resident, and 
children would face extreme hardship. His children would either face 
separation from their father or be forced to leave the only country 
they know and give up the education they are pursuing in the United 
States.
  Alfredo and his wife Maria have been in the United States for over 20 
years. They worked for years to adjust their status through appropriate 
legal channels, but poor legal representation ruined their 
opportunities.
  The Plascencias' lawyer refused to return their calls or otherwise 
communicate with them in any way. He also failed to forward crucial 
immigration documents. Because of the poor representation they 
received, Alfredo only became aware that they had been ordered to leave 
the United States 15 days prior to his scheduled deportation.
  Alfredo was shocked to learn of his attorney's malfeasance, but he 
acted quickly to secure legitimate counsel and filed the appropriate 
paperwork to delay his deportation and determine if any other legal 
action could be taken.
  Together, Alfredo and Maria have used their professional successes, 
with the assistance of private bills, to realize many of the goals 
dreamed of by all Americans. They have worked hard and saved up to buy 
their home.
  They have good health care benefits, and they each have begun saving 
for retirement. They are sending their children Christina, Erika, and 
Danny, to college and plan to send the rest of their children to 
college, as well.
  Their oldest child, Christina, is 26 years old, and takes classes at 
Heald College to become a paralegal. Erika, age 22, graduated from high 
school and is currently taking classes at Skyline College. Her teachers 
have praised her abilities and have referred to her as a ``bright 
spot'' in the classroom. Danny, age 20, currently attends the 
University of California and volunteers at his local homeless shelter 
in the soup kitchen. Daisy, age 15, and Juan Pablo, age 10, are in 
school and plan on attending college.
  Allowing Alfredo to remain in the United States is necessary to 
enable his family to continue thriving in the United States. His 
children are dedicated to pursuing their education and being productive 
members of their community.
  I do not believe that Alfredo should be separated from his family. I 
am reintroducing this legislation to protect the best interest of 
Alfredo's U.S. citizen children and his wife, who is a lawful permanent 
resident. I believe that Alfredo will continue to make positive 
contributions to his community in California and this country. I 
respectfully ask my colleagues to support this bill.
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