Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

US Brands Refugees 'Terrorists', Denies Asylum

All armed groups considered "terrorists"

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 26, 2009 4:58 PM CDT
Email

(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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Fondue
Jul 27, 2009 12:14 PM CDT
Couldn't have been said any clearer than that.
autorob
Jul 27, 2009 12:12 PM CDT
We preach one thing to the world and practice something else at home.
godawgs
Jul 27, 2009 1:50 AM 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.....
World • Politics • US

 
Iraq • Bush administration • Zimbabwe • Ethiopia • dictatorship • Patriot Act • refugee • Burma • Obama administration • political asylum

More Newser Stories

Photos of Bush-Era Prisoner Abuse to Be Released
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne