Refugees shut out by war on terrorism

[rodeodance]

Goodi's comments only inflame this situation.


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-asylum22dec22,1,1409890.story?coll=la-headlines-nation


Refugees shut out by war on terrorism

Advocates say U.S. allies and those forced to help armed groups are not security risks and should not be denied asylum.

By Nicole Gaouette, Times Staff Writer
December 22, 2006

WASHINGTON — The first time they came for her, the Colombian guerrillas shoved the 31-year-old nurse blindfolded into the back of a green Renault sedan. Her kidnappers took her to a house and forced her to treat one of their commandants, who was writhing in pain from a bullet wound to the leg.

The woman said she was abducted seven more times in 1997 and 1998 to give medical care to Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia members. They warned her not to go to the police. "I know you have a daughter," one man said, prodding her with a gun. In 2000, after her cousin was tortured and killed, she fled. Now she is in Northern California, working as a nurse and raising her daughter.

Today, her hopes of staying in the U.S. have run smack into the war on terrorism. The Department of Homeland Security rejected her asylum claim. Their reason: By giving the guerrillas medical care — willingly or not — she was supporting terrorism.

Laws passed after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, deny admission to anyone who has provided "material support" — money, food, clothing, advice — to terrorist groups. In the last few years, these provisions and the definition of terrorism have been expanded to the point that they are disqualifying people who even immigration judges agree pose no threat to the U.S.
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[theoldman]

1. Stupidity has no limits. Common sense is out of style.