[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16460-16461]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 2845

  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I appreciate the distinguished Senator 
from Nevada giving me the opportunity to speak on an issue that I am 
really quite sad about, in all honesty. This is a human issue that I 
bring to the floor today that I think is an oversight on the part of 
the Senate and actually all of us in public life.
  I want to speak about families of lawful noncitizens whose loved ones 
perished in the World Trade Center. They are about to be put into a 
position where, on a legal basis, they are deportable as of September 
11, 2002, and this at the same time as they are taking on that 
incredibly difficult task of dismantling their lives here in the United 
States and returning to their country of birth.
  This legislation would extend by 1 year the relief we provided in the 
Patriot Act to allow noncitizens whose parent or spouse was murdered in 
the terrorist attacks of September 11.
  Today is September 10, just 1 day shy of the 1-year anniversary of 
the most significant terrorist attack on the United States in history.
  The United States lost some 2,800 lives, as you know, but in the past 
year we have forgotten, in my view, to take into consideration the 504 
nationals from 86 foreign countries who were a part of that. Many of 
these victims were in the United States as guest workers, contributing 
their technical expertise in helping the U.S. economy be the strongest 
in the world, be the engine of the world's economy. When they died, 
their hopes to provide a better life for themselves and their children 
in the United States died with them.
  Tomorrow is September 11, and deportation proceedings could very well 
begin, if the INS were to proceed this way, for the grieving families 
of those temporary workers. While those families watch the media 
coverage of the anniversary--coverage that will no doubt extol the 
bravery and the sacrifice of so many of their family members--their 
presence in the United States will be in jeopardy.
  These families were admitted to the United States 100 percent 
lawfully. They had all of their papers. They were admitted because we 
invited them here to help drive our economy. They did not sneak across 
any border or overstay their visas. They are lawfully present in the 
United States because work visas were provided to their loved ones. 
They paid taxes and submitted all appropriate paperwork. They were 
active in our communities in New York and New Jersey and very 
productive members of our society. Yet on the 1-year anniversary of the 
death of their loved ones, the INS could begin making arrangements for 
their removal from this country. Fortunately, the INS said they are 
going to turn a blind eye. But folks have to live with the risk that 
this is a possibility.
  The challenges faced by these brave families were anticipated by 
those of us in Congress. In fact, the Patriot Act appropriately allowed 
them an additional year to remain in the United States. But it is 
becoming quite clear an additional year for families who have had to 
suffer so much is not adequate. This legislation is a response to the 
very real challenges of these families.
  For example, many of these families are participating in September 11 
support groups, groups that simply would not exist in the countries to 
which they may be returning. Many of them are eligible for awards from 
the Victims Compensation Fund, but, as you know, many of the awards 
have not been processed, or even begun to be processed in many 
instances. Much work remains to be done.
  Although they have been in mourning for nearly a year, many widows 
and children are waiting patiently for DNA analysis of the remains of 
their loved ones. Without closure, the grieving process has been 
prolonged considerably. Because of this delay, many necessary and 
unfamiliar financial matters have not been adequately addressed. There 
are homes that need to be sold and other business affairs to be settled 
before these folks should be returning home.
  Also, there are children to consider, many of them in American 
schools, who have begun their lives. Many of them are American 
citizens, the children themselves. In fact, I think some of these 
children could potentially be separated from their parents as we go 
forward with this whole process. So it is a real issue at a human level 
on the ground, where people are trying to work their way through this 
tragic series of events.
  While it is difficult to define the precise number of survivors who 
would be eligible for relief under my legislation, it is safe to say it 
is under 200. I think it also reflects some problems in the INS. The 
books and records are not exactly clear on how many folks there are 
involved. We have identified, in my office, about 80 of these people 
with whom we are working to try to provide special attention to them. 
The thought is, it would be close to 200.
  Yet despite the fact that this legislation is sculpted very narrowly 
to address only the most immediate humanitarian considerations for this 
population, and despite the fact that the number of people included is 
a narrow 200 or fewer, each time I have attempted to get this 
legislation cleared, an objection has been raised. Generally, it has 
been one individual who has used their ability to quietly veto this 
legislation.
  So at this time, with September 11 just 1 day away, Mr. President, I 
think it is time to pass this legislation. I think it is important. I 
think it speaks to the nature and the quality of who we are as a 
nation.
  Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate take up and pass 
S. 2845, legislation to extend for 1 year procedural relief provided 
under the USA Patriot Act for individuals who were or are victims or 
survivors of victims of a terrorist attack on the United States on 
September 11, 2001.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. BURNS. Objection.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is objection.
  Mr. CORZINE. I appreciate the responsibility of the Senator from 
Wyoming to carry out the objection.
  I continue to have serious concerns that if the facts of this issue 
were

[[Page 16461]]

known broadly, they would not be resisted. I personally sought out the 
assistance of a number of folks who have typically objected to 
legislation dealing with immigration: Senator Byrd, Senator Nickles, 
and particularly Senator Hatch, and they have been very helpful on 
this--and the Senator from Montana; excuse me. The distinguished 
Senator from Montana. I apologize. I am tied up in this sense of----
  Mr. BURNS. I say to the Senator from New Jersey, I have lived on both 
sides of the line.
  Mr. CORZINE. It is all a beautiful part of the country.
  But I must say, of all of the issues that get at human interests, I 
consider it extraordinarily unusual that we have chosen to put a group 
of people--a limited group of people--at such risk.
  I think this idea of having people be able to secretly hold 
legislation is a troubling one. I hope we can move on with it. I think 
this is an important piece of legislation.
  I thank the Senator from Montana for his graciousness, and also the 
Senator from Nevada. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this 
important issue.

                          ____________________