Senator Feinstein Introduces Private Bill to Grant Citizenship to Hungarian Couple
June 29, 2000

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced private legislation to grant citizenship to Denes and Gyorgyi Fulop, a San Diego couple whose 15 year-old son recently died of a ruptured aorta and whose six-year old daughter is soon scheduled for heart surgery.

“The Fulop Family has suffered terrible losses in the past few weeks,” Senator Feinstein said. “Their tragedy should not be compounded by deportation to Hungary. This private bill would enable the Fulops to stay in this country as legal immigrants and allow their daughter to obtain the medical treatment she needs.”

Prior to the introduction of this bill, the Fulops were scheduled to be deported on June 30. The family will be allowed to remain in the United States until the disposition of this private bill is resolved.

Denes and Gyorgyi Fulop are the parents of six U.S. citizen children and have lived in the United States for 18 years. They were denied permanent resident status in part because in 1995 they went back to Hungary for more than 90 days. Had they sought legal status before the passage of immigration reform laws in 1996, that 90-day visit would not have been a factor in the decision.

Private legislation is usually introduced on behalf of individuals whose compelling circumstances require Congress to act when administrative or legal remedies have been exhausted.