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Steve
Li's Family, Supporters Thank Sen. Feinstein
For
Introducing a Private Bill Friday Morning
Nursing
student set to be released Friday evening from ICE; supporters urge
Congress on DREAM Act
What:
20
year old nursing student will be released Friday evening from ICE
after national mobilization for the halt of his deportation. This
comes hours after CA Senator Feinstein introduces "private bill" on
Shing Ma "Steve" Li's behalf.
When:
Noon,
Tuesday November 23rd 2010
Where:
Asian
Law Caucus, 55 Columbus Ave San Francisco, CA
94111
Who:
Shing
Ma "Steve" Li, Maria Li, Steve's mother, and Sin Yen Ling, senior
staff attorney at the Asian Law Caucus and Li's legal
counsel.
Background:
Senator
Feinstein introduced a private bill early Friday morning for Shing
Ma "Steve" Li. "I decided to introduce a private bill on Steve's
behalf because I believe his removal would be unjust before the
Senate gets a chance to vote on the DREAM Act," Feinstein said in a
statement. Li is scheduled to be released this evening from
ICE.
"It's
been over two months since I've seen my son. All this time I had
nightmares of him being alone in Peru. Now I know he's coming home
soon and I will be able to hold him in my arms again. I am so
grateful for Senator Feinstein's strong leadership," says Ma Li,
Steve's mother.
"We
are relieved that Steve will not be deported today. It's been an
emotional roller coaster for Steve's family and friends, and I'm
thrilled that Steve is coming home," says Marilyn Luu, a close
friend of Li who has been one of the main leaders in efforts to
halt Steve's deportation. "We appreciate all the community support
around the case, and we know we couldn't have done it without
everyone who made phone calls or wrote letters on Steve's behalf,"
continues Luu.
"We
thank Senator Feinstein for introducing a private bill for Steve
and supporting the DREAM Act. We know that there are still many
students like him: future nurses, doctors and engineers, who could
give so much to this country but are senselessly at risk of
deportation. That's why it's urgent for Congress to enact lasting
reform and pass the federal DREAM Act," says Sin Yen Ling, senior
staff attorney at the Asian Law Caucus and Li's legal counsel. The
Asian Law Caucus will work on securing Steve's release from ICE in
Arizona. He was originally scheduled for deportation to Peru on
Monday, November 15. Feinstein's bill effectively halts his
deportation.
The
DREAM Act is a bipartisan, common-sense bill that would allow
undocumented students who have grown up in the United States a
pathway to legalization if they attend two years of college or
serve two years of the military. Li and thousands of other Bay Area
students in similar situations would benefit from the DREAM Act if
enacted.
The
halt of Steve's deportation comes days after Speaker Nancy Pelosi
and Senate Majority Leader Reid announce their intention to move
the DREAM Act to a vote on November 29, 2010.
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ASIAN LAW CAUCUS (ALC) - The
mission of the Asian Law Caucus is to promote, advance, and
represent the legal and civil rights of the Asian and Pacific
Islander communities. Recognizing that social, economic, political
and racial inequalities continue to exist in the United States, the
Asian Law Caucus is committed to the pursuit of equality and
justice for all sectors of our society with a specific focus
directed toward addressing the needs of low-income and Asian and
Pacific Islanders. Visit: asianlawcaucus.org
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