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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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US Brands Refugees 'Terrorists', Denies Asylum

All armed groups considered "terrorists"

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(Newser) – Refugees hoping to stay in America are SOL if they backed armed movements back home—even if they fought dictators or have since worked for the United States, McClatchy reports. Following a Patriot Act provision, officials have denied more than 7,000 requests for green cards, refugee status, and asylum to refugees in the US. "I can't tell how much of this madness is policy and how much of it is just madness," says one human rights advocate.

Lawmakers have tried to grant the executive power to circumvent the Act, and the Department of Homeland Security has granted 10,500 waivers to keep such refugees in America. But others face deportation and are branded terrorists. One, now an artist in Denver, has hired a lawyer to fight back. "It would be an honor to represent the United States," he says. "But I can't say I'm American."

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano speaks at the Arizona Air Guard's 161st refueling Wing at Sky Harbor International Airport early Friday, Nov. 21, 2008 in Phoenix.
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano speaks at the Arizona Air Guard's 161st refueling Wing at Sky Harbor International Airport early Friday, Nov. 21, 2008 in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Matt York)
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, right, holds a news conference with New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, left, on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, right, holds a news conference with New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, left, on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Iraqi refugees wave their national flag and chanting national songs at al-Sayda Zeinab in southern Damascus on Tuesday Nov. 27. 2007 ahead of their return trip to Iraq.
Iraqi refugees wave their national flag and chanting national songs at al-Sayda Zeinab in southern Damascus on Tuesday Nov. 27. 2007 ahead of their return trip to Iraq.   (AP Photo Bassem Tellawi)
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I can't tell how much of this madness is policy and how much of it is just madness. - Anwen Hughes, senior counsel for Human Rights First's Refugee Protection Program

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8 comments
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Reader60610265
Jul 26, 09 5:20 PM CDT
This story should get interesting.LOL Reply
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+3
BlahBlahBlah
Jul 26, 09 5:27 PM CDT
Can we please just take down the Statue of Liberty? I just figure if we don't stand for what it says anymore we shouldn't have it. The "Patriot" Act. More like the, lets find as many possible ways to deny civil liberties and violate laws while simultaneously finding ways to flex our muscle overseas.......... Act. . That sounds about right. Thanks Bush and Cheney, I love living in a corrupt bigoted nation full of people who seem to of forgot that if you really want to split hairs we can all be considered immigrants seeking asylum. We did come to this country to be free and in the same breath invited others to be free with us. It is sad that we seem to forget that everyday. Reply
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+12
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Jul 26, 09 7:14 PM CDT
Couldn't have been said any clearer than that.
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
godawgs
Jul 26, 09 8:50 PM CDT
@foxhole what you are forgetting and failing to mention is that this the Obama admin doing this. If the Patoritat act is so bad, why doesn't the democratic super majority overturn it. why doesn't Obama just tell DHS to let this people stay? don't sit there and continue to blame Bush/Cheney for what is really Obama continuing another one of his polices. If obama doesn't like it then he should do something about it. This is typical of most left wing nut jobs, you guys will blame bush no matter that it is Obama continuing a Bush policy. If it is that bad then he should over turn int and move on. but he keeps them in place for a reason.....
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+2
Netstorm2k9
Jul 26, 09 5:28 PM CDT
The US gov doesn't want people living in America that are willing to fight for freedom. It wants wage slaves waving the flag. Reply
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+5

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