Washington: Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) on Feb. 5 introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives granting permanent resident status to the alien spouses and children of victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, according to a press release issued by the congressman’s office.
“For some families, not only did they lose a loved one, but they also lost their family sponsor who was keeping them in this nation. These families should not have to worry that in the future the U.S. government may evict them from this country. I don’t think there’s a better way for the United States to show these families that the victims of Sept. 11 were true American heroes than by granting these aliens permanent residency.”
Pallone’s legislation states that any alien spouse or child of an individual who was lawfully living in the U.S. and who died as a result of a Sept. 11 terrorist attack be granted permanent resident alien status. The legislation provides this status without regard to the current status of the alien spouse or child as long as the spouse or child applies for permanent resident status to the U.S. attorney general within two years of the time this legislation is enacted.
The New Jersey Congressman's legislation also grants honorary citizenship to victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack if the victim held lawful alien status under the immigration laws in existence on that day.
