To:  Deb Fischer - US Senator

       Pete Ricketts - US Senator

       Don Bacon - US Congressman

       Mike Flood - US Congressman

It is an honor and a privilege to introduce you to Carlos Mendez, who has been like a member of our extended family for many years.  He is an honorable, hardworking man who has been deeply invested in the Omaha, NE community for over 2 decades.  He is married to a US citizen, and a father to 3 US Citizen children.  We are writing to you in the hopes that you will look into his naturalization process, which was recently paused when Carlos was on the verge of becoming a US Citizen.  Our grave concern is that Carlos will be subject to deportation, which would be a senseless injustice and would have an incredibly negative impact for many, including his family, business partners, employees and friends.

 Carlos is a citizen of Venezuela who moved in to Omaha in 2002 as International Student with a F-1 Visa and studied at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He furthered his education at Metropolitan Community College from 2003 to 2005, and graduated with dual degrees in Business Management and Accounting Associate Degrees.  He married a naturalized US Citizen -- Palmira Mendez -- in 2019.

 Carlos is a testament to the value of a strong work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to this community. In his time in Omaha, Carlos has opened numerous businesses, focused in the restaurant industry.  He first bought the restaurant “Espana” in the Benson neighborhood of Omaha, which has since been converted to a one of its kind (for Omaha) Michelin star quality dining experience that is Au Courant. He co-owns Dolomiti Pizzeria and Enoteca in the growing Millwork Commons area just north of downtown Omaha.  He also owns R.U.B. Bistro in Aksarben which he manages with the help of his wife, Palmira.  Finally, he is also the co-owner of a start-up soap business -- Benson Soap Mill.

 Over the years, Carlos has employed and mentored many Omahans in the restaurant industry.  At various times, he has employed nearly every single Dornan child, and as a family we are truly indebted to him for those opportunities. Carlos is more than just a family friend - he is someone who has been there for our family in good times and bad, an unwavering source of support and compassion. When Stu was hospitalized last year, it was Carlos who personally delivered food to our family in the hospital to support us in that incredibly scary time.

 We implore you to look into his immigration process. It would be a senseless tragedy for Carlos to slip through the cracks and be subject to deportation in spite of his strong case for citizenship, his longstanding ties to this community, and his US Citizen family. Omaha, Nebraska, and the country as a whole has benefited greatly by his presence here. Carlos is exactly the type of honest, hardworking person who deserves a fair opportunity to become a naturalized citizen of this great country. The Dornan Family, and the many others who have signed the attached petition humbly ask for your assistance in this matter. We would all be eternally grateful for any support you can offer Carlos as he navigates the naturalization process in these uncertain times.

Sincerely,

The Dornan Family