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

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 795. 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 hardworking 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.
  Their oldest child, Christina, is 28 years old and is currently a 
paralegal. Erika, age 24, serves in the United States Air Force and 
hopes to one day become a police officer. Danny, age 24, currently 
attends the University of California and volunteers at his local 
homeless shelter in the soup kitchen. Daisy, age 17, and Juan Pablo, 
age 13, are all 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.
  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. 795

       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 ALFREDO PLASCENCIA 
                   LOPEZ.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of 
     section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1151), Alfredo Plascencia Lopez shall be eligible for the 
     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 that Act (8 U.S.C. 1154) or for 
     adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.
       (b) Adjustment of Status.--If Alfredo Plascencia Lopez 
     enters the United States before the filing deadline specified 
     in subsection (c), Alfredo Plascencia Lopez shall be 
     considered to have entered and remained lawfully 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 application for issuance of 
     immigrant visas or the application for adjustment of status 
     are filed with appropriate fees within 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 residence to Alfredo 
     Plascencia Lopez, the Secretary of State shall instruct the 
     proper officer to reduce by one, 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 Alfredo 
     Plascencia Lopez 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 
     Alfredo Plascencia Lopez under section 202(e) of that 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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