Fight Against Harsh AEDPA / IIRAIRA Provisions Affecting Criminal Aliens
Prior to May 1998

One of AILA's top legislative goals is to appeal the retroactive application of the aggravated felony rules contained in the 1996 law (Anti Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act -- AEDPA).

AEDPA took away immigrants' rights to appeal their cases by tying the hands of immigration judges. Even in the most sympathetic cases, a judge has no power to reverse the INS' decision to deport. Many of these cases have already received significant attention, such as the case of Jesus Collado, a 43-year-old legal permanent resident who was nearly deported because, at 19, he had sexual relations with his 15-year-old girlfriend.

All over the country, there are people in similar dilemmas. Because of minor offenses committed years ago in their youth, many immigrants are forced to sacrifice their lives and the future of their citizen children. And there are thousands of other legal permanent residents who live in fear of this law. This forces them to avoid the INS, so they can never return to their country of origin or apply for citizenship.

On a related issue, Laurie Kozuba, a US citizen married to a Canadian national LPR, has organized a group called Citizens and Immigrants for Equal Justice (CIEJ). CIEJ is a coalition of citizen and resident alien family members of immigrants adversely affected by AEDPA and IIRAIRA. Mrs. Kozuba's husband was granted relief from deportation under INA Sec. 212(c) in 1993 but the INS appealed that grant. Unfortunately, his case was pending at the time AEDPA was enacted and the 212(c) grant has been overturned. Laurie Kozuba is collecting stories of others in similar circumstances and is lobbying members of Congress to change the harsher provisions of the new laws affecting long time permanent residents who are truly rehabilitated. If you have similarly situated friends, encourage them to contact CIEJ at the following address and number:

CIEJ, Laurie Kozuba, 3701 Hogan Drive, Mesquite, Texas 75150, Tel.: (972) 279-4168, e-mail: VARIE18187@aol.com.