Speech #1050092534

I rise in strong opposition to this motion to instruct conferees to block the extension of section 245(i). According to INS statistics. twothirds of those using 245(i) are the spouses and children of American citizens and lawful permanent residents. Another portion is used by skilled immigrants sponsored by companies. Section 245(i) can only be used by prospective lawful permanent residents and under careful scrutiny of Federal authorities. In order to adjust their status. eligible immigrants must meet the same criteria they would if their visa applications were reviewed overseas. Allowing section 245(i) to expire will force a cruel separation of families. Silas Archila. who lives in my district in San Francisco. is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. He and his wife run a child care center. If his wife is not able to adjust her status through section 245(i). she will be forced to leave him to be a single parent of their 4yearold daughter. a U.S. citizen. and she will be barred for 3 years from immigrating to the United States. Allowing section 245(i) to expire will force many battered immigrant women to return to countries that cannot protect themeven though. as part of their Violence Against Women Act case. each woman has already proven to the INS that returning to that country and being forced to leave the United States would cause her and her children extreme hardship. Failure to permanently extend this provision places unnecessary burdens on families and businesses. which will also suffer from the loss of skilled workers. I urge my colleagues to oppose this motion to instruct.