Iroquois Nation stuck on passports that were honored in the past

[hootinholler]

Is this a result of W not knowing what sovereign means?

The Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team has been delayed from traveling to the World Lacrosse Championships. The team claims this is due to some members holding passports issued by the Iroquois confederacy. Robert Siegel talks to S.L. Price, senior writer for Sports Illustrated, who's been following the story
...
Mr. S.L. PRICE (Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated): Well, the Iroquois have been traveling on these passports since 1977. And more to the point, with the nationals, theyve been competing and traveling on these passports since 1990. But last week they were told the British consulate was looking to issue their visas, but they wanted assurance from the U.S. government that those passports would be honored and that the Iroquois would be allowed back into the United States.

Led by Homeland Security and officials from the State Department, as well, they were told they could not guarantee that they would issue clearance for those passports. And now, as a result, the Iroquois have missed their original flight which was yesterday, and are in New York City awaiting a resolution of this issue.

-Hoot

[hootinholler]

1. bedtime kick

Thanks for the rec.

-Hoot

[Abq_Sarah]

2. So.. State and DHS

Won't guarantee they'll let them back into the US?

[riderinthestorm]

3. Native Americans need to get in the US government's face every chance they can

I love these kinds of stories. Could the Iroquois have suffered any more under the US government? I think not. That they are using US law to finally thumb their noses at the PTB just tickles my fancy.

I honestly don't think the brouhaha over the Iroquois passports is serious. The Obama Admin will cave as soon as it comes to their attention (and now that it's gotten media attention and the team is awaiting departure, I'm sure it will go through quickly). But it spotlights the US's historic, unfair, and prejudicial dealings with NA tribes and how that continues to this day.

As they say in show biz, any publicity is good. Our Native American populations deserve special consideration and their sovereignty is an important aspect of dealing with them fairly in the 21st century.

[hootinholler]

6. It may take long enough for them to miss the opener

Which I think they are scheduled to play in.

-Hoot

[PurgedVoter]

4. K&R nt

[Solly Mack]

5. k/r

[Heywood J]

7. At least the British were trying to make sure

the players didn't get screwed. Kudos for that. Politics aside, the players really should have US passports as well to travel on (e.g. as dual-citizenship holders do).