Political Quotes

“I am pleased to offer today, legislation to provide lawful permanent residence status to Tony Lara, a remarkable young man from El Salvador who has lived in the United States since he was 10 years old. Tony's story is particularly compelling. In less than twenty years of this young man's life, Tony has faced one tragic setback after another. However, through his optimism, intelligence, and hard work, he has bravely confronted challenges that most would view as insurmountable. In spite of enormous odds, Tony has become a high school graduate, a California State Wrestling Champion and an inspiration to his community. An unfortunate chapter in Tony's story is that he faces deportation and separation from his younger sister because at age nineteen, Tony is an orphan. Immigration law prohibits permanent legal residency to minor children under the age of twenty-one without their parents. Ten years ago, Tony Lara and his younger sister Olga were brought to the United States by their parents who were fleeing the civil war in El Salvador. That same year, Tony's mother was deported back to El Salvador. She tragically died in a drowning accident while trying to reenter the United States. Tony's father turned to drugs, abandoned his children and was eventually deported in 1994. He has not heard from him since. At age 11, Tony became a surrogate father to his younger sister.”