FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2001

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH STATE DEPT AND US EMBASSY TO EXPEDITE VISA APPROVALS FOR FAMILIES OF FLIGHT 587 VICTIMS TO TRAVEL TO US FOR FUNERALS

Senator Receives Commitment From State Dept, US Embassy in the Dominican Republic To Expedite Visas For Victims Families, Help Families With Visa Process

Schumer Joined By Family Members of the Victims of Flight 587, Assemblyman Espaillat , Councilman Linares, Councilman-elect Martinez Standing with family members of the victims of Flight 587, as well as leading elected officials from Washington Heights including Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, Councilman Guillermo Linares, and Councilman-elect Miguel Martinez, US Senator Chuck Schumer today announced an agreement with the US State Department and the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic to expedite the visa approval process for the families of the victims of Flight 587, allowing the families to travel to the United States to attend funerals or repatriate their loved one's remains in the Dominican Republic.

After spending the day in Washington working with the State Department and calling the US Embassy in Santo Domingo, Schumer received commitments from both to expedite the visa approval process and help family members quickly navigate the process. In almost every case, immediate family members applying for a visa will receive same-day appointments, and provided their application is approved (which is expected to happen in almost every case, but cannot be pre- approved), they will be granted a visa to enter the United States that day. The US Embassy in Santo Domingo has agreed to handle as many interviews as possible each day, and walk each applicant through the process so they can receive visas immediately.

"The families of the victims of Flight 587 have suffered far more than anyone can be expected to bear," Schumer said. "The least we can do is make the process of attending the funerals of their loved ones as easy and immediate as possible. I'm very pleased that the State Department and the US Embassy in Santo Domingo have agreed to help the family members applying for visas and make sure their application is approved. My office also stands ready to help in any and every way."

"I grieve for all of the lives lost on American Airlines Flight 587. While each life lost leaves a blank space in our hearts, the Dominican community in New York and in the Dominican Republic is most directly impacted by this tragic event. I stand by the side of the people of Dominican heritage from Washington Heights to Santo Domingo as we try to make sense of an event that brings nothing but questions. My congressional offices in the community and in Washington are ready to provide services to our constituents, and to ensure that every possible resource is made available to the victims families. I, along with my staff, mourn your loss and we offer our support during this most difficult time," US Congressman Charles B. Rangel said.

"The families of the victims are traumatized and devastated. They need to meet with their loved ones as quickly as possible. Senator Schumer and my office will work with the State Department to make this a reality," Espaillat said.

"We are working aggressively to help the relatives of the victims of this tragedy to travel to New York City and join their loved ones as quickly as possible," Linares said.

"Our community has lost people in the World Trade Center tragedy. Now we have been hit again by this tragedy. But our community is a strong community with strong faith, and I am certain that we will get through this," Martinez said.

In order for the family members to receive a visa to enter the United States, applicants will have to bring a valid passport, a passport sized photo and a bank receipt showing payment of the application fee to the US Embassy in Santo Domingo. Any immediate family member who brings those three items to the Embassy will be given an appointment. Anyone who does not bring those three items will be given immediate assistance, so they can obtain them and receive approval as quickly as possible. In the Dominican Republic, any immediate family member of the victims of Flight 587 seeking a visa to attend a funeral or repatriate their loved one's remains should call 1-976-1000 for information and immediate assistance.

Schumer said he expects the Embassy to meet with several dozen families tomorrow, and continue meeting and granting visas throughout the week. Family members of the victims and Moises Perez, President of Alianza Dominicana, joined Schumer, Espaillat, Linares and Martinez at the announcement .

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