Chris Dodd: “Today I send to the desk a private relief bill to provide permanent resident status to Juan and Alejandro Gomez, and ask…”

“Today I send to the desk a private relief bill to provide permanent resident status to Juan and Alejandro Gomez, and ask that it be appropriately referred. Juan, 18, and Alejandro, 20, are natives of Colombia who came to the U.S. with their parents in August 1990 on B-2 visitors visas. They currently reside in Miami, FL with their parents. They are now the subjects of an October 14, 2007, voluntary departure date under an order of deportation. The date of their departure has been extended from September 14, 2007. Juan and Alejandro have lived continuously in the U.S. for the last 17 years. They have both graduated from Miami Killian High School and are currently enrolled in Miami Dade Community College. They have the strong support of their community. It would be an extreme hardship to uproot Juan and Alejandro from their community, which has wholeheartedly embraced them, to send them back to Colombia where their lives could be in serious danger. We all know that the circumstances of Juan and Alejandro aren't unique. Just like many other children here illegally, they had no control over their parents' decision to overstay their visas a number of years ago. Most of these young people work hard to complete school and contribute to their communities.”