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The original documents are located in Box 53, folder "8/14/76 HR7908 Relief of Edward Drag" of the White House Records Office: Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Exact duplicates within this folder were not digitized. APPROVED &8/14/76 THE WHITE HOUSE ACTION WASHINGTON Last Day: August 21 August 13, 1976 Posted MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT 8/16/76 FROM: JIM CANNON Jan SUBJECT: chives H.R. 1507 - Relief of Marisa Marzano H.R. 2411 - Relief of Alinor Anvari Adams 8/16/76 H.R. 2502 - Relief of Peter Olav Mesikepp H.R. 6392 - Relief of Koviljka C. Clendenen H.R. 7908 - Relief of Edward Drag H.R. 5500 - Relief of Rafael Strochlitz Wurzel H.R. 5648 - Relief of Violetta Cebreros H.R. 3372 - Relief of Tze Tsun Li H.R. 2940 - Relief of Maria Sylvia Macias Elliott H.R. 2495 - Relief of Malgorzata Kuzniarek Czapowski H.R. 2118 - Relief of Cheryl V. Camacho H.R. 7882 - Relief of Miss Leonor Young Attached for your consideration are twelve enrolled bills all with the common purpose of granting immediate relative status to aliens who have been or are in the process of being adopted by United States citizens. All of the beneficiaries are over the age of 14, and do not qualify for exception to the immigration waiting list. Additional information is provided in OMB's enrolled bill report at Tab A. OMB, NSC, Max Friedersdorf, Counsel's Office (Lazarus) and I recommend approval of the enrolled bill. RECOMMENDATION That you sign the enrolled bills at Tabs B through M. SEAL FORD LIBRARY Digitized from Box 53 of the White House Records Office Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF management AND BUDGET WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503 AUG 12 1976 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Enrolled Bills (1) H.R. 1507 - Relief of Marisa Marzano Sponsor - Rep. Danielson (D) California (2) H.R. 2411 - Relief of Alinor Anvari Adams Sponsor - Rep. Sisk (D) California (3) H.R. 2502 - Relief of Peter Olav Mesikepp Sponsor - Rep. Sisk (D) California (4) H.R. 6392 - Relief of Koviljka C. Clendenen Sponsor - Rep. Blouin (D) Iowa (5) H.R. 7908 - Relief of Edward Drag Sponsor - Rep. Conable (R) New York (6) H.R. 5500 - Relief of Rafael Strochlitz Wurzel Sponsor - Rep. Dodd (D) Connecticut (7) H.R. 5648 - Relief of Violetta Cebreros Sponsor - Rep. Burgener (R) California (8) H.R. 3372 - Relief of Tze Tsun Li Sponsor - Rep. Burke (D) California (9) H.R. 2940 - Relief of Maria Sylvia Macias Elliott Sponsor - Rep. Burgener (R) California (10) H.R. 2495 - Relief of Miss Malgorzata Kuzniarek Czapowski Sponsor - Rep. Burke (D) Massachusetts (11) H.R. 2118 - Relief of Cheryl V. Camacho Sponsor - Rep. Talcott (R) California (12) H.R. 7882 - Relief of Miss Leonor Young Sponsor - Rep. Meyner (D) New Jersey Last Day for Action August 21, 1976 - Saturday Purpose To grant immediate relative status to aliens who have been or are in the process of being adopted by United States citizens. 2 Agency Recommendations Office of Management and Budget Approval Immigration and Naturalization Service Approval Department of State No objection Discussion These 12 enrolled bills would define their beneficiaries as "children" under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and grant them immediate relative status upon approval of a petition filed by their adopted or prospective adopting parents, ail of whom are U.S. citizens. The bills also provide that the natural parents or siblings shall not be accorded any right, privilege or status under the INA by virtue of their relationship to the beneficiaries. The INA provides an exception to the immigration waiting list for children adopted by U.S. citizens who are 14 years of age or younger. Because the beneficiaries of these bills are over 14, they do not qualify for this exemption. Accordingly, absent enactment of these bills, those beneficiaries now living out- side the U.S. would have to remain on the regular immigration waiting list (with consequent uncertainty as to when they would be admitted) ; those beneficiaries now in the U.S. would have to leave and begin the process of returning to the U.S. under the regular immigration procedures. James Assistant m. Director Trey for Legislative Reference Enclosures UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PLEASE ADDRESS REPLY TO IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE Washington 25, D.C. AND REFER TO THIS FILE NO. OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER 11 AUG 1976 A20 371 731 TO : OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET SUBJECT: Enrolled Private Bill No. H.R. 7908 ; Office of Management and Budget request dated August 9, 1976. Beneficiary or Beneficiaries Edward Drag. Pursuant to your request for the views of the Department of Justice on the subject bill, a review has been made of the facsimile of the bill, the re- lating Congressional Committee report or reports. and all pertinent information in the files of the Immigration and Naturalization Service On the basis of this review the Immigration and Naturalization Service, on behalf of the Department of Justice: X Recommends approval of the bill Interposes no objection to approval of the bill Sincerely, Commissioner CO Form 18 (REV. 1-17-72) dEPARTMENT OF STATE Washington, D.C. 20520 AUG 11 1976 Dear Mr. Lynn: Reference is made to Mr. Frey's communication of August 9, 1976, transmitting for comment enrolled bills, H.R. 6392, "For the relief of Koviljka C. Clendenen", H.R. 7882, "For the relief of Leonor Young", and H.R. 7908, "For the relief of Edward Drag". This Department has no objection to the enact- ment of these bills. Sincerely yours, Hemp Jachun Kempton B. Jenkins Acting Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations The Honorable James T. Lynn, Director, Office of Management and Budget. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503 8-13-76 AUG 12 1976 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Enrolled Bills (1) H.R. 1507 - Relief of Marisa Marzano Sponsor - Rep. Danielson (D) California (2) H.R. 2411 - Relief of Alinor Anvari Adams Sponsor - Rep. Sisk (D) California (3) H.R. 2502 - Relief of Peter Olav Mesikepp Sponsor - Rep. Sisk (D) California (4) H.R. 6392 - Relief of Koviljka C. Clenderen Sponsor - Rep. Blouin (D) Iowa (5) H.R. 7908 - Relief of Edward Drag Sponsor - Rep. Conable (R) New York (6) H.R. 5500 - Relief of Rafael Strochlitz Wurzel Sponsor - Rep. Dodd (D) Connecticut (7) H.R. 5648 - Relief of Violetta Cebreros Sponsor - Rep. Burgener (R) California (8) H.R. 3372 - Relief of Tze Tsun Li Sponsor - Rep. Burke (D) California (9) H.R. 2940 - Relief of Maria Sylvia Macias Elliott Sponsor - Rep. Burgener (R) California (10) H.R. 2495 - Relief of Miss Malgorzata Kuzniarek Czapowski Sponsor - Rep. Burke (D) Massachusetts (11) H.R. 2118 - Relief of Cheryl V. Camacho Sponsor - Rep. Talcott (R) California (12) H.R. 7882 - Relief of Miss Leonor Young Sponsor - Rep. Meyner (D) New Jersey Last Day for Action August 21, 1976 - Saturday Purpose To grant immediate relative status to aliens who have been or are in the process of being adopted by United States citizens. FORD & LIBRARY 07V8.39 2 Agency Recommendations Office of Management and Budget Approval Immigration and Naturalization Service Approval Department of State No objection Discussion These 12 enrolled bills would define their beneficiaries as "children" under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and grant them immediate relative status upon approval of a petition filed by their adopted or prospective adopting parents, all of whom are U.S. citizens. The bills also provide that the natural parents or siblings shall not be accorded any right, privilege or status under the INA by virtue of their relationship to the beneficiaries. The INA provides an exception to the immigration waiting list for children adopted by U.S. citizens who are 14 years of age or younger. Because the beneficiaries of these bills are over 14, they do not qualify for this exemption. Accordingly, absent enactment of these bills, those beneficiaries now living out- side the U.S. would have to remain on the regular immigration waiting list (with consequent uncertainty as to when they would be admitted); those beneficiaries now in the U.S. would have to leave and begin the process of returning to the U.S. under the regular immigration procedures. (Signed) James M. Frey Assistant Director for Legislative Reference Enclosures Calendar No. 1044 94TH CONGRESS SENATE REPORT 2d Session No. 94-1110 EDWARD DRAG AUGUST 4, 1976.-Ordered to be printed Mr. Eastland, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H.R. 7908] The Committee on the Judiciary, to which was referred the bill (H.R. 7908) for the relief of Edward Drag, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of the bill is to facilitate the adjustment of status of the adopted child of citizens of the United States. STATEMENT OF FACTS The beneficiary of the bill is a 19-year-old native and citizen of Poland who was admitted to the United States as a visitor and was adopted by his aunt and uncle, citizens of the United States, in Janu- ary of 1974 in New York. The adoptive parents have three natural sons, ages 13, 17, and 25. A letter, with attached memorandum, dated February 11, 1974, to the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representa- tives, from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization with reference to H.R. 11574, a similar bill for the relief of the same alien introduced in the 93d Congress, reads as follows: 57-007 2 3 IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, numbers under this preference are not available at this time. It is his A20 371 731. Washington, D.C., February 11, 1974. intention to establish a priority date for the purpose of applying for Hon. PETER W. RODINO, Jr. adjustment of status to that of a permanent resident when his date is reached on the visa availability list. Chairman, Washington, Committee D.C. on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, tive attached (H.R. 11574) for the relief of Edward a report rela- DEAR to the MR. bill CHAIRMAN: In response to your request for State of New York-Family Court: County of Wyoming The bill a memorandum of information concerning the Drag, there is immediate Mrs. Fronczak may be classified as a child and of Mr. and Zigmund provides that the sixteen-year-old adopted son beneficiary. [Docket No. A-33-73] of the relative status. The bill further provides that be granted In the Matter of the Adoption by ZYGMONT FRONCZAK and STELLA any right, beneficiary shall not, by virtue of such relationship other relatives FRONCZAK of EDWARD DRAG, Foster Child Act. privilege, or status under the Immigration and Nationality be accorded ORDER OF ADOPTION (PRIVATE PLACEMENT) for is immigrants to the nonpreference portion of the a of Poland, chargeable Absent enactment of the bill, the beneficiary, native The petition of Zygmont Fronçzak and Stella Fronczak verified the Hemisphere. and conditional entrants from countries numerical in the limitation Eastern 26th day of November, 1973, having been duly presented to this Court, together with an agreement on the part of the petitioning foster Sincerely, parents to adopt and treat the above-named foster child as their own lawful child, and together with the affidavits of Helen Johnson, Gen- CHAPMAN, Jr., eral Guardian of Edward Drag, Zygmont Fronczak and Stella Enclosure, Commissioner. Fronczak and Richard S. Manz, and the consents required by Section 111 of the Domestic Relations Law. MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION FROM IMMIGRATION AND And the aforesaid petitioning foster parents and the above-named NATRUALIZATION SERVICE FILE RE H.R. 11574 foster child and all other persons whose consents are required as afore- said having personally appeared before this Court for examination, Fronczak, The beneficiary, Edward Drag, who is also known And an investigation having been duly ordered and made and the He is single a and native and citizen of Poland, was born on as Edward March Joseph written report of such investigation having been duly filed with this ciary has no a tenth grade student at Perry High School. Perry, New York where he is resides with his adoptive parents in 20, 1957. Court, as required by the Domestic Relations Law; And this Court being satisfied that the moral and temporal interests ural parents assets are and is supported by his adoptive The benefi- of the foster child will be promoted by the adoption and that there is Fronczak on was adopted by his uncle and aunt, Zigmund in Poland. The beneficiary dead. His step-brother resides parents. His nat- no reasonable objection to the proposed change of the name of the foster child, attached. County, Warsaw, January New York. 16, 1974 A certified in the copy Family of the Court of and Wyoming Stella Now, on motion of Richard S. Manz, attorney for the petitioners herein, and upon all the papers and proceeding herein it is The under beneficiary Section does not qualify for immediate relative adoption order is Ordered, that the petition of Zygmont Fronczak and Stella Fronczak for the adoption of Edward Drag a person born on or about March 20, ity child The Act because he has 101 attained (b) (1) (F) his 14th of the birthday, Immigration and status National- as a 1957, at Village of Zarzecze, Nisko, Poland, be and the same hereby is allowed and approved; and it is further States beneficiary at New lived in Poland until he was admitted Ordered that the said foster child shall henceforth be regarded and October 15, 1973. York, He New York on September 6, 1973 as to a the United treated in all respects as the lawful child of the said foster parents; Deportation Mr. proceedings received have an not extension been instituted. of stay to January visitor 30, 1974. to and it is further Ordered that the name of the said foster child be and the same hereby a baker Fronczak, at a native and citizen of the United States, is changed to Edward Joseph Fronczak and that the said foster child Poland, as was naturalized an annual a wage United of $8,000. Mrs. Fronczak, is a employed native of hereafter be known by that name; and it is further Ordered that the appropriate Clerk be and she is hereby authorized Their She is assets employed consist as of a machine operator States at citizen an annual on December of 5, 1956. to prepare, certify and deliver to the petitioners herein or to their at- furniture $25,000 in property, $13,500 in wage $5,000. torney three certificates of Adoption; and it is further three sons and ages, two 13, automobiles 17, and 25. with a total value of $4,500. savings, They $2,000 have in Ordered that this Order. together with allother papers pertaining to the adoption, shall be filed and kept as provided in the Domestic at Canada. The latest information immigrant indicates that visa The Toronto beneficiary Ontario intends to apply for a nonpreference Relations Law and shall not be subject to access or inspection except as provided in said Law. And it is further S.R. 1110 S.R. 1110 4 5 Ordered that the waiting period required by statute be and hereby On October 16, 1974 the beneficiary applied for status as a perma- is waived for the reason that the foster child has resided with the peti- nent resident under the nonpreference classification. This application tioners since September 6, 1973, this Court being satisfied that it is in was denied by the Buffalo, New York office on May 30, 1975 on the the best interests of the foster child and foster parents that said wait- grounds that Mr. Drag did not have labor certification as required by ing period be waived, since the appropriate Committee of Congress section (14) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and had has asked for an immediate approval of the Adoption before passing failed to establish that he was exempt therefrom. Mr. Drag claimed a private law permitting said Edward Drag to remain in the Country. exemption from this requirement because he is a student supported Signed this 16th day of January, 1974, at Warsaw, New York. by his adoptive parents. However, this was denied since he is 18 years JOHN S. CONABLE, of age, and his entry into the labor market is considered imminent. Judge of the Family Court, This decision was certified for review to the Regional Commissioner County of Wyoming. of this Service at Burlington, Vermont. The Committee wil be further advised when a decision is entered. In testimony whereon I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Sincerely, seal of said Court, at Warsaw, N.Y., this 16th day of January A.D., L. F. CHAPMAN, Jr., 1974: Commissioner. BETTY E. EBERSOLE, Clerk. The Department of State submitted a report on August 14, 1974, with reference to a bill then pending for the relief of the same person. The following letters dated November 14, 1974 and August 11, 1975 to the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Repre- That report reads as follows: DEPARTMENT OF STATE, sentatives, from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturaliza- Washington, D.C., August 14, 1974. tion in connection with the case read as follows: Hon. PETER W. RODINO, Jr., U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. Washington, D.O., November 14, 1974. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Reference is made to your request for a re- A20371731. port concerning the case of Edward Drag, beneficiary of H.R. 11574, 93rd Congress. Hon. PETER W. RODINO, Jr., The bill would provide for the beneficiary's classification as a child Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, and for granting of immediate relative status upon approval of a Washington, D.C. petition filed by Mr. and Mrs. Zigmund Fronczak, American citizens. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This refers to H.R. 11574 in behalf of Edward It also provides that other relatives of the beneficiary shall not be Drag. accorded any right, privilege, or status under the Immigration and The latest information indicates that a nonpreference visa number Nationality Act by virtue of such relationship. is now available for the beneficiary. Accordingly, he has been invited The American Embassy at Warsaw has reported that the beneficiary to apply for adjustment of status to that of a permanent resident. was born on March 20, 1957 at Nisko, Poland. His application for a The Committee will be informed when relief is granted or denied. visitor visa was approved on May 17, 1973. When be presented his Sincerely, Polish passport, he was issued a visitor vísa on August 29, 1973 for L. F. CHAPMAN, Jr,, the stated purpose of visting his aunt, Mrs. Stella Fronczak, for four Commissioner. weeks. He claimed that he intended to return to Poland to continue his schooling. The consular officer found that his plans were definite and A supplemental report from the Immigration and Naturalization was convinced that the beneficiary's ties to Poland were adequate. Service with reference to the instant bill, reads as follows: Absent enactment of H.R. 11574, the beneficiary would be classi- fiable as nonpreference applicant and would be subject to the labor U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, certification requirement of section 212(a) (14) of the Immigration IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE, and Nationality Act. Washington, D.C., August 11, 1975. Cordially, A20371731. LINWOOD HOLTON, Hon. PETER W. RODINO, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Congressional Relations. Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This refers to H.R. 7908 in behalf of Edward Congressman Barber B. Conable. Jr., the author of the bill, sub- Drag, who was also the beneficiary of H.R. 11574, 93rd Congress. mitted the following letter in support of his bill: S.R. 1110 S.R. 1110 6 CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C., September 15, 1975. Hon. JOSHUA EILBERG, Chairman, Subcommittee No. 1, Judioiary Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR JOSH: Thank you for your letter of September 12 indicating that your subcommittee is considering my bill, H.R. 7908, for the relief of Edward Drag. Edward Drag was born on March 20, 1957 in the Village of Zarzecze in the District of Nisko in Poland. He came to the United States on September 6, 1973 on a visitor's visa. The visa was to expire on Octo- ber 15, 1973, but was extended by the Immigration and Naturalization Service until January 30, 1974. Edward's mother, Emilia Drag, died on August 28, 1973 and his father, Antoni Drag, died on November 25, 1966 in their home village. Edward Drag's only relative in Poland was an aged grandmother who was ill and poverty stricken. On Janu- ary 16, 1974, he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Zigmund and Stella Fronczak, American citizens, in the Family Court of Wyoming Coun- ty, Warsaw, New York. His name is now Edward Joseph Fronczak. In January of 1974, when Edward was 16 years of age, I introduced a private bill in behalf of Edward Drag, H.R. 11574. Information from the Immigration and Naturalization Service indicated that a nonpreference visa number was available to him and therefore he should apply for adjustment of status to that of a permanent resident. Therefore no action was taken on my bill and it was reintroduced in this session of Congress. The application for a change of status was denied by the Buffalo office of the Immigration Service on May 30, 1975 on the grounds that Edward Drag did not have labor certifica- tion and failed to establish that he is exempt therefrom. Although Edward (Drag) Fronczak is now 18 years of age, he is just a junior in high school. He is supported by his adoptive parents who are both employed and are well established, highly respected members of the community. He has no family in Poland. It would be a case of extreme hardship if he were required to leave the United States. Your favorable consideration of my bill, H.R. 7908, would be sincerely appreciated. Very truly yours, Barber B. CONABLE, JR. The committee, after consideration of all the facts in the case, is of the opinion that the bill (H.R. 7908) should be enacted. Q S.R. 1110 H.R.7908 Ainety-fourth Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the nineteenth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and seventy-six An Act For the relief of Edward Drag. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in the admin- istration of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Edward Drag may be classified as a child within the meaning of section 101(b) (1) (F) of section the Mrs. Act, Zigmund upon approval Fronczak, of citizens a petition of the filed United in his States, behalf pursuant by Mr. and to 204 of the Act: Provided, That the natural parents or brothers or sisters of the beneficiary shall not, by virtue of such relationship, be accorded any right, privilege, or status under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.