Rep. Lofgren Applauds Announcement that Vietnamese Brothers Have Been Granted Temporary Visas to Help Save Brother’s Life

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, applauded the State Department's announcement that two Vietnamese brothers have been granted temporary visas to enter the United States to help save their brother's life. Tu Le, of San Jose, California, has an aggressive form of cancer that only a marrow transplant may help him survive. His brothers, both in Vietnam, are a rare 100 percent genetic match, but were originally denied visas to enter the U.S. to give their brother his best chance at a life-saving marrow transplant. Rep. Lofgren and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) each worked with the State Department to advocate on behalf of Tu Le and his family.

"I couldn't be happier for Tu Le and his family," Rep. Lofgren said. "Imagine knowing that a bone marrow transfer may be the only way to save your life; only to see your brothers, who are the bone marrow donors, denied the chance to come save you. I want to thank U.S. Ambassador Kritenbrink for working with me and Sen. Harris in finding a resolution as quickly as possible. I wish Tu and his family the best of luck and continue to offer my assistance however I can."

Last Monday, Rep. Lofgren had a conversation with the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam during which he offered to arrange another interview for the brothers so that new information provided by Rep. Lofgren's office could be considered in their case.

Rep. Lofgren has served as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary's Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship since 2007. She is the granddaughter of immigrants and has taught immigration law at the Santa Clara School of Law.