I rise today to express my steadfast support of H.R. 2827, a Private Bill for the relief of Malachy McAllister, Nicola McAllister, and Sean Ryan McAllister offered by my friend from New Jersey, Mr. Rothman. I would also like to recognize my colleagues Mr. ENGEL and Mr. KING of New York for their advocacy on behalf of the McAllisters.

Malachy McAllister is an Irish Catholic national who fled to the United States from Belfast in 1988. He left his homeland and moved to New York City with his wife and four children. Since then, Mr. McAllister has been living in the New York metropolitan area, building a new, safe home for his family, abiding by the laws of our land, and contributing to society.

Unfortunately, the Bush administration seems intent on deporting him to a country where his life will be put in danger.

While in Northern Ireland, Mr. McAllister did participate in an Irish National Liberation Army attack on a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and played a role in planning another attack. He was imprisoned from 1981 to 1985, and has paid his debt to society.

When released from prison, he and his family were attacked by British loyalists who fired 26 shots into his home. After fleeing to the United States he applied for political asylum, which was denied to him in 2000 and to his children and deceased wife in 2003. The McAllisters have appealed the decisions to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, but they have no further legal options if the appeal is denied.

The House and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff should act to ensure that Mr. McAllister and his family can stay in America. H.R. 2827 makes Malachy, Nicola and Sean eligible for permanent resident status and halts pending deportation proceedings. If Mr. McAllister is returned to Northern Ireland, he will be in constant and immediate danger of persecution because of his political and religious beliefs and retribution for his past affiliations.

As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I believe the McAllisters should be granted political asylum. In the wake of September 11, we must make sure to balance security concerns with the historical role of the United States as a place of safe harbor for individuals fleeing political oppression. Mr. McAllister is the first person to express regret for his past actions and sorrow that they have led to his family's current position. He and his children deserve to live free of fear and continue building their American Dream.