January 23, 2023

Why We Need Comprehensive Immigration Reform –– The Jaime Avalos Story

(Houston, TX) – On Monday, January 23, 2023, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:

"Mr. Jaime Avalos was born in Mexico and brought to the U.S. by his mother when he was approximately one year old, around 1996. At seven years of age, Jaime was taken back to Mexico by his mother to register his adoption by his stepfather. Subsequently, he was brought back to the U.S. permanently. Houston has been his home for more than 28 years. He is a graduate of Bellaire High School, has held steady employment since he was a senior in high school, has no criminal record, is a homeowner, and is married to a U.S. citizen with whom he has a one-year-old son."

"On August 16, 2022, Jaime, a DACA recipient, on the advice of legal counsel traveled to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico for an immigration interview. He made the appointment for his interview in good faith as part of the process to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. At this interview, Jaime first learned that he had been taken to Mexico for the registration of his adoption. Due to being taken out of the country before he acquired permanent residency, Jaime has now been barred from re-entering the U.S. for 10 years. He is currently unable to leave Mexico to return home to the U.S."

"As the Congressperson who represents Jaime, I am doing all I can to reunite him with his wife and baby, who are American citizens. Recently, I traveled to Juarez to meet with Jaime in person and visit the U.S. Consulate. I have introduced legislation to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act as well as a private bill for Jaime. I also have sent letters to President Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas asking that they give full and fair consideration to Jaime’s case. Additionally, I have been working with Jaime’s attorney, Naimeh Salem, to secure humanitarian parole for him."

"Mr. Jaime Avalos’s case is unique in that he is barred from entering the U.S., the only country he knows as home, and is unable to reunite with his wife and child. He is not being held by a hostile nation. We are the ones preventing him from returning. His case is emblematic of why we need comprehensive immigration reform." 

###