| September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief Act - H.R. 3290 |
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Earlier this
year, we marked the eighth year since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
on America. Throughout the country, we honored the lives
we lost that day and expressed our nation’s sympathies to the loved ones of
those who died. We remembered how we
stood together as a nation, united in our resolve to help rebuild the lives of
all families who found themselves on the front lines of the attacks.
Among the
bereaved are sixteen immigrant spouses and children of innocent World Trade
Center victims, who,
having become part of our history, now ask to become part of our country. In the spirit of common purpose and
compassion, Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Peter King (R-NY), Anthony Weiner
(D-NY) and I have introduced the September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and
Patriotism Act, HR 3290, which would provide this special group of sixteen
spouses and children an opportunity to become U.S. permanent residents.
While
we can’t undo the pain these families have had to endure, we can offer them
hope and the opportunity to move forward with their lives.
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Legislation
HR 3290, the September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act, would:
- Provide 16 spouses or children of victims of the 911 attacks the opportunity to apply for permanent status.
- The opportunity to adjust status would be offered to a closed class of 16 individuals who lost a spouse or parent in the 9/11 attacks and who (1) were deemed to be beneficiaries of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund; (2) submitted proffers of information to the Department of Homeland Security, between April 24, 2008 and August 15, 2008, in connection with requests for immigration relief; (3) are not inadmissible on criminal or national security grounds; (4) apply for adjustment not later than one year after enactment; and (5) satisfy any applicable Federal tax liability by the date on which such application is filed. DHS has granted each of these individuals temporary immigration relief in the form of humanitarian parole or deferred action.
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