Bill could keep brothers in U.S. through 2009
Posted on Tue, Sep. 18, 2007
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By LESLEY CLARK
lclark@MiamiHerald.com

WASHINGTON --
Juan and Alex Gomez, the Kendall brothers who have been battling deportation orders, likely will be able to stay in the United States at least through 2009, under a private bill filed by Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd, their attorney said Tuesday.

Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat who is running for president, filed a private bill on the Colombian-born students' behalf late Monday, said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.

''This is the news we've been waiting for,'' Little said. ``Finally, Juan and Alex can have some semblance of a normal life, though we still have our work cut out for us.''

In most cases, deportation proceedings are typically halted for a congressional term after a private bill has been filed by a senator. Little said the extra time will give immigration advocates a chance to lobby for the Dream Act, a bill that would offer students who grew up in the United States a chance at legal residency. It also will give attorneys a chance to pursue the family's legal appeal.

Dodd decided to file the private bill after meeting with the Kendall brothers in Miami.

The meeting was set up by Ana Navarro, a Republican strategist who said she talked with Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, who had filed a private bill in the House on behalf of the brothers.

Advocates for the brothers had hoped to find a senator to sponsor the legislation and Navarro knew several Democratic senators would be staying at the Biltmore for the Sept. 9 Univision debate.

'I asked Lincoln what do you think about me pitching this to any senator who walks through the door and he said `Run with it, Ana,' '' said Navarro, whose boyfriend, Gene Prescott, owns the Biltmore.

A House bill must be first heard by a committee and Diaz-Balart's bill has yet to be heard.

Navarro said she was able to reach Dodd and he agreed to meet with the brothers.

''I don't agree with him one bit on Cuba policy but we agreed on this: that what was happening to these two boys was wrong,'' Navarro said.

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