Juan Pachon, spokesperson for the office of Senator Bob Melendez, email statement to Al Jazeera Americas The Stream,

October 25, 2013: As a leader and author of the Senates comprehensive immigration reform bill, Senator Menendez is constantly reminded of the injustices stemming from our nations broken immigration system. Family unity is a key component of immigration policy, and that is why he has worked for many years with Dream Activists and other groups to ensure that the Administration is aware of individual cases where justice may not have been served. It was his deep concern about family unity that persuaded him to inquire about these cases with the Administration, both in writing and multiple follow-up conversations between his office and the Administration. No one has done more to help these kids and their families than Sen. Menendez, which is why it's so unfortunate that some advocates have chosen this route. The fact remains that until comprehensive immigration reform is enacted, the legal options available to Dreamers who have left the U.S. under current law are practically nonexistent. And unfortunately, congressional offices are not able to single-handedly interfere with and influence deportation cases. Senate Ethics prohibits demands to the agencies about individual cases. The Senator is saddened to see that some activists misinform the community by stating that Congressional offices have powers that they do not in fact possess. Congressional offices typically inquire about constituent cases to determine their status and therefore, he has suggested to the Dream 30 that they ask their home state Representatives and Senators to ask about their cases. The real issue of fixing our broken immigration system once and for all remains, and Speaker Boehner must rise to the challenge and do the right thing by allowing a vote on immigration proposals to provide permanent relief to 11 million who have waited for too long and Dreamers who should be with their families in the United States.