A bill for the relief of Maria Guadalupe Mendoza Sanchez, Eusebio Sanchez Mejia, and Vianney Esbeydi Sanchez Mendoza.

Mr. President, today I offer private immigration relief legislation to provide an immigrant visa or lawful permanent resident status to Maria Mendoza Sanchez, Eusebio Sanchez, and Vianney Sanchez. The family represents the essence of the American dream. I believe they merit Congress' special consideration for this relief.

In August 2014, my office assisted Maria and Eusebio with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during their request for a stay of removal. Under the previous administration, ICE found that their case was worthy of a favorable exercise of discretion. This was an acknowledgement that they posed no public safety risk, had no criminal records, and therefore should not be priorities for deportation.

Despite this, in 2017, the Trump administration, told Maria and Eusebio that they were no longer eligible for a stay of removal and that they should prepare for deportation Mario and Eusebio pled with ICE to reconsider this sudden change in policy and I supported their request--believing it would be senseless and callous to remove them from our Country. However, all possible avenues to delay their deportation were denied by immigration. officials.

In August 2017, after living productive lives in this Country for 23 years, Maria and Eusebio were deported back to Mexico. Their deportation was truly heartbreaking for me, their family, and their community. I personally met Maria and Eusebio and can attest that they are the kind of people we should welcome into the United States with open arms. They are hardworking, law-abiding people who have been self- supporting, have paid their taxes, and owned a home in East Oakland.

Prior to her deportation, Maria worked as a registered nurse in a local hospital in Oakland, CA. She provided care to patients afflicted with conditions such as trauma, stroke, and cancer. Her supervisor said that her ``genuine compassion, appreciation for her work, and deep knowledge of nursing practices made her an excellent addition to [our hospital].'' Another letter of support said that Maria ``is a great asset to our hospital, community, and country. She is the epitome of what Americans should be.'' Maria's bilingual skills made her a strategic asset in assisting patients at work, which serves uninsured, underserved, and low-income populations. Her deportation is a great loss to many of the patients that relied on her critical assistance as they went through medical treatment.

Similar to Maria, Eusebio was a hardworking contributor to their community. He was a truck driver for a San Francisco-based company, and his employer has described him as ``very reliable, trustworthy, [a] team player, and exceptional worker.'' His friends describe him as someone who ``is a good person, responsible at work, willing to help when we need assistance.''

Together, Eusebio and Maria have raised four children--three of whom are U.S. citizens. Their oldest daughter, Vianney, age 23, has protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA, program. She graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a degree in Psychology. She has aspirations of using her education to work in public service and help her community. She is passionate about doing work that allows her to focus on improving the lives of residents of Oakland and the Bay Area. As a result of Maria and Eusebio's deportation, Vianney will be assuming responsibility of her two younger sisters. I believe that Vianney's determination to make sure her sisters are properly cared for, after dealing with the crushing experience of being separated from her parents, is a testament to her remarkable strength and resilience, and a sign of the kind of values instilled in her by her now deported parents.

The Sanchez's second daughter, Melin, age 21, is a U.S. citizen. She is currently enrolled at the University of California at Santa Cruz, where she is studying molecular cell and developmental biology. She has aspirations of becoming a pediatrician. Maria and Eusebio paid her college tuition and supported her as she studied for the MCAT and volunteered at a hospital. Their deportation leaves Melin's college tuition in peril.

The Sanchez's third daughter, Elizabeth, age 16, is a U.S. citizen and is currently enrolled at the NEA Community Learning Center in Alameda. Elizabeth was diagnosed with a speech delay and learning disabilities at a young age, but with the support of her parents, was able to make great progress and is doing well in school. She needs the support of her parents and continuing to separate her from them will significantly affect her ability to pursue her dreams.

The Sanchez's son, Jesus, age 12, is a U.S. citizen. He was born with a congenital heart disease, which requires continued medical attention. Jesus has accompanied his parents on their return to Mexico. Maria and Eusebio's deportation will have an extraordinary impact on Jesus. He can no longer continue his education in the U.S., the only Country he has ever known. Additionally, Jesus obtained health insurance coverage for his medical condition through his parents. As a result of their deportation, he will lose access to medical care in the U.S.

Maria, Eusebio, and Vianney have become respected members of their community in California. This is exemplified in the overwhelming support they received to shield them from deportation. Separating this family is not what our country stands for. Maria and Eusebio want nothing more than to continue to provide for their children and continue contributing to this great country they called home. Their deportation has greatly affected their ability to do so.

I believe that Maria and Eusebio's deportation has been a tremendous loss

for their children and community. In addition, I believe Vianney needs further protection. This family warrants our compassion, and I will keep fighting for them.

I ask my colleagues to support this private bill.

Mr. President, today I offer private immigration relief legislation to provide an immigrant visa or lawful permanent resident status to Maria Mendoza Sanchez, Eusebio Sanchez, and Vianney Sanchez. The family represents the essence of the American dream. I believe they merit Congress' special consideration for this relief.

In August 2014, my office assisted Maria and Eusebio with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during their request for a stay of removal. Under the previous administration, ICE found that their case was worthy of a favorable exercise of discretion. This was an acknowledgement that they posed no public safety risk, had no criminal records, and therefore should not be priorities for deportation.

Despite this, in 2017, the Trump administration, told Maria and Eusebio that they were no longer eligible for a stay of removal and that they should prepare for deportation Mario and Eusebio pled with ICE to reconsider this sudden change in policy and I supported their request--believing it would be senseless and callous to remove them from our Country. However, all possible avenues to delay their deportation were denied by immigration. officials.

In August 2017, after living productive lives in this Country for 23 years, Maria and Eusebio were deported back to Mexico. Their deportation was truly heartbreaking for me, their family, and their community. I personally met Maria and Eusebio and can attest that they are the kind of people we should welcome into the United States with open arms. They are hardworking, law-abiding people who have been self- supporting, have paid their taxes, and owned a home in East Oakland.

Prior to her deportation, Maria worked as a registered nurse in a local hospital in Oakland, CA. She provided care to patients afflicted with conditions such as trauma, stroke, and cancer. Her supervisor said that her ``genuine compassion, appreciation for her work, and deep knowledge of nursing practices made her an excellent addition to [our hospital].'' Another letter of support said that Maria ``is a great asset to our hospital, community, and country. She is the epitome of what Americans should be.'' Maria's bilingual skills made her a strategic asset in assisting patients at work, which serves uninsured, underserved, and low-income populations. Her deportation is a great loss to many of the patients that relied on her critical assistance as they went through medical treatment.

Similar to Maria, Eusebio was a hardworking contributor to their community. He was a truck driver for a San Francisco-based company, and his employer has described him as ``very reliable, trustworthy, [a] team player, and exceptional worker.'' His friends describe him as someone who ``is a good person, responsible at work, willing to help when we need assistance.''

Together, Eusebio and Maria have raised four children--three of whom are U.S. citizens. Their oldest daughter, Vianney, age 23, has protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA, program. She graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a degree in Psychology. She has aspirations of using her education to work in public service and help her community. She is passionate about doing work that allows her to focus on improving the lives of residents of Oakland and the Bay Area. As a result of Maria and Eusebio's deportation, Vianney will be assuming responsibility of her two younger sisters. I believe that Vianney's determination to make sure her sisters are properly cared for, after dealing with the crushing experience of being separated from her parents, is a testament to her remarkable strength and resilience, and a sign of the kind of values instilled in her by her now deported parents.

The Sanchez's second daughter, Melin, age 21, is a U.S. citizen. She is currently enrolled at the University of California at Santa Cruz, where she is studying molecular cell and developmental biology. She has aspirations of becoming a pediatrician. Maria and Eusebio paid her college tuition and supported her as she studied for the MCAT and volunteered at a hospital. Their deportation leaves Melin's college tuition in peril.

The Sanchez's third daughter, Elizabeth, age 16, is a U.S. citizen and is currently enrolled at the NEA Community Learning Center in Alameda. Elizabeth was diagnosed with a speech delay and learning disabilities at a young age, but with the support of her parents, was able to make great progress and is doing well in school. She needs the support of her parents and continuing to separate her from them will significantly affect her ability to pursue her dreams.

The Sanchez's son, Jesus, age 12, is a U.S. citizen. He was born with a congenital heart disease, which requires continued medical attention. Jesus has accompanied his parents on their return to Mexico. Maria and Eusebio's deportation will have an extraordinary impact on Jesus. He can no longer continue his education in the U.S., the only Country he has ever known. Additionally, Jesus obtained health insurance coverage for his medical condition through his parents. As a result of their deportation, he will lose access to medical care in the U.S.

Maria, Eusebio, and Vianney have become respected members of their community in California. This is exemplified in the overwhelming support they received to shield them from deportation. Separating this family is not what our country stands for. Maria and Eusebio want nothing more than to continue to provide for their children and continue contributing to this great country they called home. Their deportation has greatly affected their ability to do so.

I believe that Maria and Eusebio's deportation has been a tremendous loss

for their children and community. In addition, I believe Vianney needs further protection. This family warrants our compassion, and I will keep fighting for them.

I ask my colleagues to support this private bill.