Zoe Lofgren: “Before I recognize my colleague from the Judiciary Committee, I would just like to note that the issue about the EB-4…”

“Before I recognize my colleague from the Judiciary Committee, I would just like to note that the issue about the EB-4, which is the children, is not correct. Under current law, if you are a minor and have been abandoned by your parent, you can go to State court, and the State court will make a finding that you have been abandoned by your parent. Then, you can become eligible for legal permanent residence in the EB-4 category. By the way, you are not, under law, able to then petition for a parent once the parent abandons you. They are out of the picture. That is backlogged right now from Central America. This bill will have the effect of easing those backlogs for orphans from Central America. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Jayapal), a distinguished member of the House Judiciary Committee.”