[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7157]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          IMMIGRANTS ANSWER CALL TO SERVICE, CALL TO NEW LIFE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2006

  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a 
problem we're seeing the effects of all over the country, immigration.
  As a former cop, I respect and appreciate those who've dedicated 
their lives to serving others as well as those who appreciate the rule 
of law and honor it. In my time in Congress, I've seen these two values 
come together in an interesting way as my office has assisted in 
immigration casework.
  Abdullah Yousify contacted my office because he needed citizenship to 
continue his work in Iraq with Northwest Medical Teams. Repeatedly, 
Yousify would travel at his own expense back to Seattle when CIS 
requested new fingerprints again and again and he once risked his life 
in Iraq to have fingerprints taken there. He was sworn in as a citizen 
last October and is now able to continue serving with the Northwest 
Medical Teams.
  A neurologist from China who specializes in treating patients with 
multiple sclerosis contacted my office. This young doctor was trying to 
teach medicine in this country but was having trouble working with CIS. 
We tracked down her work authorization and it was sent to her and she 
is now poised to begin teaching medicine at Stanford.
  Wade Bain from Trinidad wanted to join American Special Forces but 
couldn't get the national security check completed in order to do so. 
We were able to help him and he received his citizenship, allowing him 
to join Special Forces.
  These individuals didn't want to become Americans for personal gain; 
they wanted to become Americans to serve others. They embody the 
American ideal of helping others regardless of personal cost.
  It is vitally important that we implement immigration reform. We need 
a bill that strengthens our borders and protects this nation, but that 
also makes it simpler for good people to become Americans. We need a 
bill that provides a way for immigrants who are in this country 
illegally to register and become documented, lawful immigrants. There 
must be penalties for individuals who've violated American immigration 
laws. However, we must encourage undocumented individuals to ``get 
right'' with our government and register.
  We must face the reality of immigration in this country. In 
Washington State, the immigrant population has grown by 42 percent in 
the five years between 2000 and 2005--which is an increase from 8 
percent to 10.6 percent of the overall population--and the jobless rate 
in the state has hit a 6 year low. Immigration is not just compatible 
with but is a necessary component of economic growth. Going forward, as 
we work to strengthen our border in the interests of homeland security, 
we must also recognize the economic importance of immigration reform. I 
look forward to voting for a bill that appreciates the importance of 
both when safeguarding the security and economic future of this 
country.

                          ____________________