[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 172 (Wednesday, October 30, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H8606-H8607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPORTING IMAM TAHIR KUKIQI

  (Mr. ROSE of New York asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Imam 
Tahir Kukiqi, a public servant and community leader who continues to be 
denied fair consideration in his immigration process.
  This summer, Imam Tahir received notice that USCIS intends to deport 
him from the country he has called home and raised his family for 
years. The loss of Imam Tahir would be a blow, not only to Staten 
Island, but to all of New York City and the United States. He has 
dedicated his life to uniting diverse communities in solidarity and 
common understanding.
  He hosts interfaith dialogues with mosques, synagogues, churches, and 
temples all across New York State. He serves as the first Muslim 
chaplain to the New York City Police Department and has worked to build 
relationships between the Muslim community and law enforcement.
  He has lived a life of public service and represents the best of what 
it

[[Page H8607]]

means to be an American. He has overcome incredible diversity already. 
Imam Tahir survived the war in Kosovo and built a life for himself and 
his son, Adem, right here in America. He lost his wife and Adem's 
mother some years ago, and now Citizenship and Immigration Services has 
threatened to take away Adem's father as well.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues not to sit idly by while this 
wonderful man, this public servant, is removed from our country. I urge 
them to join me in insisting that USCIS give Imam Tahir a fair hearing 
and grant him authorization to remain in this country.
  God bless Imam Tahir, and God bless the United States of America.

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