After seven long years of keeping silent for fear of being deported, undocumented family members and relatives of some of the victims of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, can finally come out of the shadows and give their testimony to this tragedy, now that they have received temporary permission to remain in the United States.

A total of 15 family members, comprising of married couples and children of the victims, found themselves beneficiaries of the recent decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Only one case was rejected, because the applicant had not paid taxes between 1999 and 2006 in spite of having had a steady income.

El Dario/La Prensa attempted to speak with these people, but the lawyer who represents them, Debra Brown Steinberg, said that she wishes to protect her clients' identities until the paperwork is officially completed in about two weeks. At that point the families will speak publicly.

“When I told them the news, they couldn't believe it. Later, when they realized it was true, that they no longer had to hide or live with the fear of being deported, they broke out in tears or laughter, each according to his or her manner,” said Steinberg, who is nationally known for her work on behalf of the September 11th victims' families.

Nearly all of the 15 beneficiaries are Latin American immigrants, according to Steinberg. Many of them are relatives of employees at the Windows on the World restaurant, which was located on the 106th and 107th floors of the World Trade Center's North Tower.

According to reports, which Steinberg did not confirm, these relatives have received compensation totaling between $875,000 and $4.1 million from the 9/11 Victims' Fund, money which they have not been able to invest openly because of their immigration status.

The lawyer explained that the temporary residence permits are only the first battle. Two New York congressional representatives, Republican Peter King and Democrat Carolyn Maloney, are sponsoring a bill, which has run into certain obstacles, to grant permanent residency status to these families.

A group of Republican congress members were initially against the proposed bill, demanding that the applicants first be identified to be sure they are not criminals or terrorists. Because of this opposition, Steinberg negotiated temporary residence status with DHS before giving out her clients' names.

“These permits run out within a year, and – though they can be renewed – Congress ought now to approve this bill as soon as possible. It would be a disgrace if they don't do it,” the attorney said.

For her part, Congresswoman Maloney said she is conscious of these immigrants’ “necessities”, and said she is confident that the bill would be approved. The office of Congressman King did not return repeated calls asking for his comments.

“I'm doing this because I adore these families, but I'm doing it for the country too. The 11th of September ought to include everyone's story, and these [undocumented] families could not speak their names, could not bear witness. They were disappearing from the history of September 11th,” Steinberg said.