H.R. 1485House110th Congress (2007-2009)Passed House

For the relief of Esther Karinge.

Legislative Activity

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14 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

October 2, 2008

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 12, 2007

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

March 12, 2007

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

March 23, 2007

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law Discharged.

Judiciary Committee

May 13, 2008

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Judiciary Committee

May 14, 2008

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

Judiciary Committee

May 14, 2008

HouseCommittee

Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-741.

Judiciary Committee

July 8, 2008

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Private Calendar, Calendar No. 1.

July 8, 2008

HouseFloor

Called up from the Private Calendar for consideration.

September 16, 2008 • 10:05 AM

HouseFloor

Considered from the Private Calendar. (consideration: CR H8138)

September 16, 2008 • 10:05 AM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.(text: CR H8138)

September 16, 2008 • 10:05 AM

HouseFloor

On passage Passed by voice vote. (text: CR H8138)

September 16, 2008 • 10:05 AM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

September 16, 2008 • 10:05 AM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate.

September 17, 2008

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

October 2, 2008

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 1485 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Edward J. MarkeyD-MA-7 · Sep 16, 2008

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1485. I commend Chairman Conyers, Subcommittee Chairman Lofgren, and Representative Boucher for their tireless work on this most important legislation. I…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1485. I commend Chairman Conyers, Subcommittee Chairman Lofgren, and Representative Boucher for their tireless work on this most important legislation.

I am particularly pleased that the bill we are voting on today gives Ms. Esther Karinge, a constituent in my district, an opportunity to escape persecution in Kenya and live freely with her son in the United States.

While living in Kenya with her uncle--a local political official-- Esther and her family received harassment and death threats during a time of tremendous political unrest still present in the region. Esther left her home and sought out protection in the United States in 1994.

Esther's case, while strong enough on the grounds that she faced persecution or worse in Kenya, is further complicated by the fact that not long after arriving in the United States, Esther gave birth to her son Nicholas. Nicholas was born prematurely, and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and deafness. As a single parent to Nicholas, who is wheelchair bound, Esther has gone above and beyond for her now 11-year- old child, who has relied solely on his mother for survival. Because of Nicholas's perseverance, and the unconditional love and support of Esther, doctors believe that Nicholas may someday walk on his own.

Esther has worked hard to secure a better life for herself and her son, while becoming an important part of our community in Malden. For several years, Esther served at the Refugee Immigration Ministry in Malden, Massachusetts, as a case manager working with women who fled their countries for the same reason she did--fear of persecution. Esther also serves as a member of the board of directors for the Immigrant Learning Center, a not-for-profit offering English language classes in my district.

Today, we are one step closer to protecting the life of Esther, and the great potential of her son Nicholas. Again, I would like to thank Chairman Conyers, Subcommittee Chairman Lofgren, and Representative Boucher for their commitment to this body and legislation. I urge adoption of the bill.

The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued October 2, 2008

        [Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H.R. 1485 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

2d Session
H. R. 1485

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 17, 2008

Received

October 2 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

AN ACT

For the relief of Esther Karinge.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR ESTHER KARINGE.

(a) In General.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of section
201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Esther Karinge shall be
eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status
to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence upon
filing an application for issuance of an immigrant visa under section
204 of such Act or for adjustment of status to lawful permanent
resident.
(b) Adjustment of Status.--If Esther Karinge enters the United
States before the filing deadline specified in subsection (c), she
shall be considered to have entered and remained lawfully and shall, if
otherwise eligible, be eligible for adjustment of status under section
245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act as of the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(c) Deadline for Application and Payment of Fees.--Subsections (a)
and (b) shall apply only if the application for issuance of an
immigrant visa or the application for adjustment of status is filed
with appropriate fees within 2 years after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(d) Reduction of Immigrant Visa Number.--Upon the granting of an
immigrant visa or permanent residence to Esther Karinge, the Secretary
of State shall instruct the proper officer to reduce by 1, during the
current or next following fiscal year, the total number of immigrant
visas that are made available to natives of the country of the alien's
birth under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act or,
if applicable, the total number of immigrant visas that are made
available to natives of the country of the alien's birth under section
202(e) of such Act.
(e) Denial of Preferential Immigration Treatment for Certain
Relatives.--The natural parents, brothers, and sisters of Esther
Karinge shall not, by virtue of such relationship, be accorded any
right, privilege, or status under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Passed the House of Representatives September 16, 2008.

Attest:

LORRAINE C. MILLER,

Clerk.