Brief Description: Requesting relief for the Aganda family of Selah, Washington.

Sponsors: By Representatives Clements, Skinner, Kenney, Hudgins, Santos and Hinkle.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Petitions the President of the United States, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Washington state congressional delegation to end the efforts to deport the Aganda family, or to seek relief for the Aganda family through the passage of a private bill of relief.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Haigh, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Shabro, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hunt, McDermott, Nixon, Tom and Wallace.

The Aganda family of Selah, Washington, lawfully entered the United States from the Philippines on October 22, 1990, and purchased a small laundry business. The family sought an investor's visa but was denied because the business was considered too small to support the family. However, the business has supported the family for over a decade.

U.S. Immigration Services are seeking to deport Tomas Aganda, his wife Judy Aganda, and their daughter Jennylyn Aganda back to the Philippines. Judy Aganda requires continued treatment for a cancerous growth at the base of her skull. This treatment is not available to her in the Philippines. A U.S. district court has granted a six-month stay of the deportation order which will end April 17, 2004.

The Aganda's daughter, Stephanie, was born in the U.S. and when she reaches the age of 21 next year, she will be able to file an immigrant visa for her parents. The Aganda's two sons attend school in the U.S. and have student visas.

A petition is made to the President of the United States, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Washington state congressional delegation to end the efforts to deport the Aganda family, or to seek relief for the Aganda family through the passage of a private bill of relief.

Testimony For: Judy Aganda is undergoing treatment for cancer. Her health is a serious issue and if she is deported, medical treatment will not be available and she will die. The community made an appeal in federal court and the court issued a stay of deportation noting that the deportation at issue was a constitutional violation and manifest injustice. This House Joint Memorial may save someone's life. The Office of Financial Management was contacted about what could be done to keep the Aganda family here. Compassion has not been a part of the process. The House Joint Memorial can possibly get things on track.

Persons Testifying: Representative Clements, prime sponsor; and Marty Brown, Office of Financial Management.