I am also very grateful to Senator Saxby Chambliss, the chair of
the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and
Citizenship, for introducing legislation No. S. 2089 that will address
my situation. This targeted legislation will provide welcome
relief to people like myself and my family and others who, during
fiscal years 1998 through 2003, were unable to obtain permanent
residence under the Diversity Visa Program because the fiscal year
ended before their cases were approved. The bill authorizes such
individuals to reopen their cases and continue processing as long
as the Diversity Visas for the fiscal year in which they filed remain
available.
I am very excited to see the positive efforts of Senator Chambliss
and the other Members of the Senate who support those persons
such as myself who have been deprived of legal benefit of permanent
residence by the inaction of the former Immigration Service.
I hope the Senate will move quickly on this legislation. I also hope
that Members of the House of Representatives will quickly introduce
and pass this worthy legislation.