Justice for Lauli'i

Floor Speech

* Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I recently introduced a private bill (H.R. 354) on behalf of a remarkable young man, Lauli'i Matu'u.

* Lauli'i was born deaf and was abandoned by his birth-family in Western Samoa. Lauli'i lived on the streets until age 10 when Greg Lewis, a U.S. citizen, took him in, taught him sign language, and cared for his medical needs. In 1992, Mr. Lewis was appointed as legal guardian to Lauli'i, but it took 14 years before Greg was finally able to bring Lauli'i to the U.S. Lauli'i is in danger of being deported because his humanitarian visa has expired. Lauli'i has no family or ties to Western Samoa, deporting Lauli'i would be a travesty of justice! My bill will grant Lauli'i permanent U.S. residence.

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