Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutiions

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Obama):

S. 1233. A bill for the relief of Diana Gecaj Engstrom; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I and my colleague Senator Obama are introducing a private relief bill on behalf of Diana Gejac Engstrom. This bill would grant legal permanent residency status to Ms. Engstrom.

The Engstrom story is one of service. Both the late Todd Engstrom and his widow, Diana, have spent their professional lives in service of human rights and American ideals. Todd served as a Commander in the United Nations Special Operations Group; Diana worked as a United Nations translator in Kosovo. After their marriage in 2003, Diana filed for legal permanent residency, with the ultimate goal of achieving American citizenship.

After the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Todd joined EOD Technology, Inc. as a Security Manager for Iraq. The U.S. Army assigned Todd to Iraq as a contractor to support our rebuilding efforts. Before leaving for Iraq, Todd asked Diana to raise his son, Dalton, in the event of his death.

Assigned to an area just outside of Fallujah, Todd helped train Iraqi security forces. On September 14, 2004, Todd died in a rocket-propelled grenade attack on his convoy by Iraqi insurgents.

As it stands, in addition to the tragedy of losing her husband, Diana can no longer continue the process of applying for legal residency and is in danger of deportation. Diana and Todd were not married for 2 years and therefore our immigration laws will not allow her to apply for permanent residency as a widow. The permanent residency application process for the surviving spouses of active duty soldiers who die in the course of duty is allowed, under current immigration law, to continue after death, even if the couple has not been married for 2 years.

Todd died in service of the American mission in Iraq; Congress should grant Diana the right to stay on the path towards LPR status. Deporting Diana would unjustly deny Todd's wish that Diana raise his son Dalton.

Todd trained Iraq soldiers so the Iraqi government could one day defend the country on its own. President Bush has made the training of Iraqi security services a central goal in the reconstruction of Iraq. Todd died in pursuit of this goal. Todd's service to our country was significant. His wife should not be made to suffer both the loss of her husband and deportation. This private bill will ensure that the sacrifice of Todd Engstrom is not forgotten.

http://thomas.loc.gov/