Russ Feingold: “I would like to read from this letter to give my colleagues a better understanding of whom this provision of the bill…”

“I would like to read from this letter to give my colleagues a better understanding of whom this provision of the bill will affect. According to this letter: Section 227(c) poses grave risks to many immigrant women and children who, in the absence of a stay of removal, will be deported and delivered into the hands of human traffickers, batterers, and persecutors. Let me read one example the National Network provided in its letter of a case in which the availability of a stay of removal was essential. Let me tell you about Lioudmila, Anastasia, and Aleksandra Krotova. According to the letter: Lioudmila Krotova and her children Anastasia and Aleksandra fled Russia after they were assaulted by skinheads and their synagogue was stormed. Ms. Krotova reported both attacks to the police, but the police failed to take any meaningful action. After the Krotovas fled Russia, skinheads beat a close family friend to death and also beat the Krotovas' relative so brutally that they broke his hip. After entering the U.S., Ms. Krotova applied for asylum. An immigration judge denied her application, and the [Board of Immigration Appeals] affirmed the judge's decision. Ms. Krotova then appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals and obtained a temporary stay of removal. The U.S. Court of Appeals eventually reversed the BIA decision and concluded that the harassment, discrimination and violence experienced by Ms.…”