Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) released a statement after Kailua-Kona farmer Andres Magana Ortiz was granted a 30-day stay of deportation from the Department of Homeland Security.

“This morning, Mr. Ortiz faced the possibility of immediate deportation, leaving his wife and three children behind,” said Rep. Gabbard. “While today’s 30-day reprieve is a positive step, it does not resolve the underlying issues. I’ll continue to push legislative and other avenues to assist Mr. Ortiz and his family in their efforts to remain in the Kona community he has called home for nearly three decades.

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Rep. Gabbard introduced a private bill earlier this week to halt the deportation of Mr. Ortiz and make him eligible for legal, permanent residence in the United States. A similar bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka to assist Chef Chai Chaowasaree in 2001. She also joined the Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation in writing to DHS Secretary Kelly earlier this week requesting that the Department reverse its decision to deport Mr. Ortiz.

Immigration reform has been one of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s top priorities throughout her time in Congress. She also co-sponsored two measures to protect families and children, including the DREAMer Information Protection Act (H.R. 532) which prohibits DHS’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) from being used for immigration enforcement proceedings and the BRIDGE Act (H.R.496) which codifies the DACA program.

RELATED LINKS

Congressional Delegation Urges Halt of Big Island Resident Deportation

Rep. Gabbard Introduces Bill to Halt Deportation

Sen. Hirono Hails 30-Day Stay of Deportation for Ortiz