[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 46 (Thursday, March 14, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1901-S1902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 794. A bill for the relief of Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, 
Micaela 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 Adilene Martinez, who is originally from Mexico but has been 
living in California for over 20 years. I believe she merits Congress' 
special consideration for this extraordinary form of relief.
  Adilene, age 30, was brought to the United States by her parents Jose 
Alberto Martinez Moreno and Micaela Lopez Martinez. When Jose came to 
the United States from Mexico, he began working as a busboy in 
restaurants in San Francisco, California. In 1990, he started working 
as a cook at Palio D'Asti, an award-winning Italian restaurant in San 
Francisco.
  Jose and his wife, Micaela, call San Francisco home. Micaela is a 
homemaker and part-time housekeeper. They have three daughters, two of 
whom are United States citizens. Their oldest daughter, Adilene, is 
undocumented and is currently working at the San Francisco Opera House. 
Adilene attempted to legalize her status through several channels with 
her family, but the current green card backlog for relatives from 
Mexico is very long.
  In 2002, the Martinez family applied for political asylum. Their 
application was denied. An immigration judge denied their subsequent 
application for cancellation of removal. 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 that Adilene'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.
  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. 794

       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 JOSE ALBERTO 
                   MARTINEZ MORENO, MICAELA LOPEZ MARTINEZ, AND 
                   ADILENE MARTINEZ.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of 
     section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1151), Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela

[[Page S1902]]

     Lopez Martinez, and Adilene Martinez shall each be eligible 
     for 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 204 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1154) or for 
     adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.
       (b) Adjustment of Status.--If Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, 
     Micaela Lopez Martinez, or Adilene Martinez enters the United 
     States before the filing deadline specified in subsection 
     (c), Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela Lopez Martinez, or 
     Adilene Martinez 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) Application and Payment of Fees.--Subsections (a) and 
     (b) shall apply only if the applications for issuance of 
     immigrant visas or the applications for adjustment of status 
     are filed with appropriate fees not later than two years 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (d) Reduction of Immigrant Visa Numbers.--Upon the granting 
     of immigrant visas or permanent resident status to Jose 
     Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela Lopez Martinez, and Adilene 
     Martinez, the Secretary of State shall instruct the proper 
     officer to reduce by three, during the current or next 
     following fiscal year--
       (1) the total number of immigrant visas that are made 
     available to natives of the country of birth of Jose Alberto 
     Martinez Moreno, Micaela Lopez Martinez, and Adilene Martinez 
     under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1153(a)); or
       (2) if applicable, the total number of immigrant visas that 
     are made available to natives of the country of birth of Jose 
     Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela Lopez Martinez, and Adilene 
     Martinez 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.

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