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WASHINGTON - Congressman Charles Rangel today introduced legislation to provide permanent residency in the U.S. to Amadou Heinz Ly, an outstanding science student who is facing deportation to Senegal.
In 2001 at the age of 13, Amadou entered the U.S. legally with his mother only to be left behind a year later when she returned to Senegal. Left on his own, the young man fended for himself, eventually settling in East Harlem in the Congressman's district, where he distinguished himself as an outstanding student.
Last spring he attracted the attention of the press in New York after winning a regional robotics science competition, ahead of students from the city's elite schools. He later traveled to Atlanta to compete against 8,000 outstanding student from around the country.
Amadou has already earned admission to the New York City College of Technology, but faces an uncertain future under the threat of deportation resulting from the expiration of his visa.
"This is a tragic story of a young man who deserves relief," Congressman Rangel said. "He wound up in this situation through no fault of his own. His brilliance and determination to succeed, despite the difficult circumstances of his life, in my view, have earned him not only our compassion but our enthusiastic support. He is the type of young man that every country would want to have as their own."
Last April, Congressman Rangel requested the intervention in the case by Michael Chertoff, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, urging the Secretary to use his discretion under the Immigration and Nationality Act to take steps to allow Amadou to remain in the country in order to pursue his studies, and ultimately, to attain lawful permanent residence. The Secretary indicated that he was unable to comment on a case under litigation. Amadou will face another hearing before an immigration Judge on July 21st.
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