Political Quotes

“I introduced H.R. 1209, the ``Child Status Protection Act'', in March of 2001 along with Sheila Jackson Lee. I was moved by stories of the children of U.S. citizens, constituents of my own and of other members, who were being punished because of the inability of the INS to process applications for adjustment of status to permanent residency in a timely manner. I am gratified to see us today on the verge of passing this bill for a second time and sending it to President Bush for his signature. I want to thank Senator Dianne Feinstein for all her help in getting this bill passed by the Senate and for her efforts to make it even better. Aliens who are eligible to receive an immigrant visa and who are in the United States are eligible to adjust to permanent resident status with the INS. However, the adjustment of status process has become a black hole. Almost a million adjustment of status applications are pending and the consequent processing delay can last up to three years. For the children of U.S. citizens, such delay can have major consequences. An unlimited number of visas are available each year for the minor children of U.S. citizens, who are considered immediate relatives. However, a finite number of visas are available for the adult children of U.S. citizens. The date at which the age of a child is measured is the date their adjustment of status application is processed--not the date that an immigrant visa petition was filed on their behalf.”