February 21, 2023

Congressman Al Green Keeps Promise and Brings Jaime Avalos Home

(Houston, TX) — On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Congressman Al Green hosted a press conference to discuss his travels to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico to personally bring constituent Jaime Avalos home to Houston. Congressman Green was accompanied by Jaime’s wife Yarianna, baby son Noah, and the Avalos family attorney Naimeh Salem.

He released the following statement:

“Today marks a fulfilled promise made to bring my constituent Jaime Avalos home to his wife Yarianna Martinez and their one-year-old son Noah. These three have experienced extreme adversity during this unexpected family separation,” said Congressman Al Green.

Jaime, a DACA recipient and Houston resident for more than 27 years, kept a lawful appointment in Juarez, Mexico to acquire a visa only to be told by our United States Consulate that he was banned from the United States for 10 years. He was banned simply because his mother took him out of the United States at age 7 to register his adoption. His wife and baby experienced financial hardships while trying to sustain their family in Jaime’s absence as Jaime could scarcely contribute to his family’s economic needs, causing them to nearly lose their home.

Congressman Green advocated tirelessly for Jaime’s return to the United States. On November 22, 2022, Congressman Green traveled to Ciudad Juarez to meet Jaime in person and visit the U.S. Consulate General to receive a briefing on Jaime’s dire situation. “In numerous efforts to reunite the Avalos family, I introduced legislation to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act as well as a private bill for Jaime. It was an honor to work with Jaime’s attorney, Naimeh Salem, to secure humanitarian parole for him. I must thank the administration, as well as every individual and entity that assisted in bringing Jaime home,” Congressman Al Green stated.

“We want to thank Congressman Green and his staff for working tirelessly with us in our efforts to bring Jaime home,” said family attorney Naimeh Salem. “Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the Congressman for working side by side with us in this humanitarian mission to reunite this family. Congressman Green is a true representative of the people and an exceptional advocate.  He helped us right this wrong.”

Attorney Salem continued, “With the Congressman’s support we were able to achieve this outcome in only a couple of months as opposed to the usual lengthy wait time. Congressman Green went to great lengths to help us undo an injustice through the legal recourses available and providing emotional support to Jaime and his family. Jaime and his family were suffering a devastating separation and now Jaime is able to reunite with his wife and baby. We hope to continue working with Congressman Green to help others like Jaime.”

Congressman Al Green’s remarks from his press conference can be viewed on www.facebook.com/repalgreen/