Washington,
Aug 4, 2007 -
Congressman Dennis Kucinich’s (D-OH) efforts to keep Theresa and Stefan Zajac in the United States have led to an additional 45-day stay of deportation for Mr. Zajac, who is currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Mrs. Zajac and their five children, all of whom were born in the United States and are therefore U.S. citizens, remain at home in Garfield Heights. The Zajacs, determined to keep their family together, have publicly stated they would bring the children with them back to Poland if deported. Mr. and Mrs. Zajac have lived in the United States for more than 18 years and are valued members of the greater Cleveland community.
The Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law may consider the private bill, sponsored by Kucinich with the support of Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH) for the relief of the Zajacs in September. The Subcommittee may seek an official report from the Department of Homeland Security, potentially keeping Mr. and Mrs. Zajac and the children in the United States, pending its consideration.
“We have been working on this case for years,” Kucinich said. “I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure the Zajac family remains together in the United States.”
Kucinich’s work on behalf of the Zajacs includes:
• On July 10, 2006, (109th Congress) introduced H.R. 5754 a Private Bill For the relief of Theresa and Stefan Zajac; • On July 25, 2007, (110th Congress) introduced H.R. 3183 a Private Bill For the relief of Theresa and Stefan Zajac; • Garnered the support of Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH), thereby making this a bipartisan effort; • Called Immigration and Customs Enforcement explaining the extraordinary circumstances and extreme hardship of the Zajac case and expressed concern for Stefan Zajac who is in their custody; • Spoke with the Chair and top Republican on the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law to explain the extraordinary circumstances involved and to urge their support for the Zajac's private bill; • Wrote a joint letter with Rep. LaTourette to the Chair and top Republican on the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law asking for active consideration of H.R. 3183 due to the extraordinary circumstances and extreme hardship involved in the Zajac’s case; • Personally gained the support of the Subcommittee Chair for active consideration of H.R. 3183; • Secured the placement of a courtesy call from the Subcommittee to the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Custom Enforcement explaining that the private bill had been introduced and as such, that the immediate deportation of Mr. Zajac was not necessary; • Lobbied the Chair and top Republican on both the Full Committee on the Judiciary and the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law to urge support for active consideration by the Subcommittee of H.R. 3183 on Thursday, August 2, 2007; • Spoke with and gained the support of nine Members of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law; • Contacted ICE to ask that Mr. Zajac be released to return home with his family while awaiting a final decision on his case.
“I consider this one of the most significant human interest cases ever brought before my office. I will do everything in my power to try to convince the federal government to have a heart and let this family, with its five U.S. born children, stay together to live and to love in the United States of America,” Kucinich concluded.
