Congresswoman ZOE LOFGREN. Congresswoman ILEANA RosLEHTINEN. and Congressman MARIO DIAZBALART have worked in a bipartisan fashion to bring justice to the teenagers. Throughout the next month. we must continue to work with immigration officials to make sure that Juan and Alex can remain in the United States. This case brings increased attention to the need for Congress to pass legislation like the DREAM Act. which would allow students like Juan and Alex. who have grown up in the United States and are pursuing higher education or military service. the opportunity to realize the American dream. In this increasingly competitive market. the United States must not forfeit the talent that students like Juan and Alex can contribute to our Nation. Additionally. one has to question what is going on in our system. when rather than focusing their limited resources on criminals who are here illegally. our immigration officials are going after academic allstars like Juan Gomez. Madam Speaker. I would like to close with Juans own words describing the motivation that has kept him and Alex optimistic despite all odds. Juan wrote. "Our whole family has worked hard in order to better ourselves in the country we call home. Academically. we have both strived and succeeded with hopes that our accomplishments would outshine our immigration status. All of our hard work will hopefully allow us to continue living and contributing to this wonderful country." I call on my colleagues to learn more about this case and to work to enact legislation that will allow talented students like Juan and Alex. who have benefited from our Nations public education system. to continue to contribute to the country that has given them hope.
Keywords matched
immigration