Congressman DeSaulnier’s Statement on USCIS Decision to Reinstate Deferred Action

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) issued the following statement after learning that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will reinstate deferred action. The announcement signals that his constituent, Isabel Bueso, and other families impacted by the initial decision to end the program will likely be allowed to remain in the United States.

"In a major victory, the Trump Administration will apparently reverse course and resume the deferred action program, allowing hundreds of deserving immigrants like Isabel Bueso to stay in the United States to receive life-saving medical care. We will continue to press the Administration for answers and assurances that this program is safe from future targeting and pursue our private bill to keep Isabel and her family in the United States permanently, but in the meantime we breathe a sigh of relief. While I am dismayed that my colleagues and I had to step in to get the Administration to do what is right, I am grateful for the leadership of Chairman Jamie Raskin, Chairman Elijah Cummings, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and the countless others who fought alongside me."

Since Isabel Bueso and her family were denied deferred action, Congressman DeSaulnier has been actively working to save Isabel and her family from deportation. DeSaulnier has been actively working to save Isabel by:

• Introducing a private bill (H.R. 4225) that would allow Isabel and her family to remain in the United States to continue to receive treatment for her rare, life-threatening disease.
• Calling for an Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on the policy change. The hearing was held on Wednesday, September 11^th, at which Isabel Bueso testified.
• Sending a letter with Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) petitioning the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kevin McAleenan, to re-review the cases of the Bueso family.
• Co-leading an effort with Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Lou Correa (D-CA), and Senators Edward Markey (D-MA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and over 100 other lawmakers to DHS, ICE, and USCIS in demanding answers on USCIS's decision to end consideration of non-military deferred action requests, including medical deferred action.

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