Feinstein legislation would aid 2 in O.C.

LEGISLATION: The locals are among four immigrants who could get permanent U.S. citizenship.

November 4, 2000

By JOSÉ ALFREDO FLORES
The Orange County Register

WASHINGTON -- Guy Taylor had an extra reason to celebrate his 19th birthday Wednesday. If all goes according to plan, Taylor can spend all his birthdays in his adoptive country from now on.

The Canadian immigrant has been living with his grandparents in Garden Grove ever since his mother -- and only remaining parent -- died in Vancouver in 1998.

He has no family in Canada, and without U.S. citizenship, he may not have anywhere to go to. That's where Sen. Dianne Feinstein stepped in.

Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced private bills that would grant special hardship citizenship to four California immigrants, including two from Orange County, who couldn't become citizens any other way. The bills cleared Congress last week and are expected to be signed into law by the President Clinton.

In Huntington Beach, Iranian immigrant Mina Notash is also waiting for word of Clinton's signing, which will allow her to fight for custody of her two U.S.-born children.

Carl Shusterman, who represents Taylor, has been practicing immigration law for 25 years. He knows how rare these private bills are.

"There used to be hundreds of private bills introduced (in each congressional session) before the scandal," said Shusterman, referring to the 1980 Abscam scandal in which Arab sheiks paid off congressmen to introduce private immigration bills.

So far in the 106th Congress, only 12 such private bills have been passed, including Notash's and Taylor's.

Taylor attempted to gain citizenship through his Native American ancestry and grandparent adoption but failed.

"We tried everything," said Oleta Hansen, Taylor's grandmother. "I didn't know where else to turn to."

It was then the Immigration and Naturalization Service suggested she write to Congress for help. Feinstein took up the cause.

"Everything in the past has gone wrong," Taylor said. "I hope it (the bill) hurries up and goes through. I want to start re-building my life."

Notash entered the United States as an undocumented alien in 1988 and bore two children by a husband from whom she was divorced in 1998. She hasn't seen the children since.

Because her husband, an Iranian who had permanent U.S. residency, did not apply for a green card for Notash, she has no right to sue him for alimony and is unable to fight for child custody without citizenship.

Notash has been able to stay in the country and live with her sister in Huntington Beach while the private bill is pending.

"I'm praying every day and night that things go the right way," said Notash, 32.

"I am desperate here. I have no way of supporting myself without citizenship."

A family friend, who knew Feinstein from her days as San Francisco's mayor, notified the senator of Notash's situation.

"I thought this was a case of compelling need," Feinstein said.

"She had no recourse to return to the U.S. and see her children. But by receiving permanent residency she will be able to fight for her children's custody, which she rightfully deserves."