Is the U.S. mishandling asylum seekers?

A bipartisan federal commission stated yesterday that in its zeal to protect the U.S. borders, it is possible that many asylum seekers are being left vulnerable to deportation as well as mistreated, "rip-searched, shackled and held in jails." One of the recommendations that the Department of Homeland Security has made following these findings is that officials should be better trained to deal with asylum seekers. However, the most important question to me is: isn't this training basic? Why is it that these findings of more than two years ago were required for such a recommendation to come to the surface? I would assume that officers were already well-trained so that such events do not happen.

Another disturbing aspect to this artice is that often this mishandling leaves asylum seekers vulnerable to deportation. However, the fact remains that often those who are deported are sent back to miserable lives. The idea that mishandling such persons increases their risks of getting sent back is a very heavy thought.

"Why I Defend Terrorists"

An excellent article by Anant Raut, an associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP, on why he donates his time to represent pro bono 5 individuals at Guantanamo Bay that have been labelled terrorists by the US government, but have yet to be charged for any crime.

MinuteMan Founder attacked at Columbia University

Jim Gilchrist, the founder and president of the Minuteman Project was attacked at Columbia University while he was keynote speaker on immigration.
Check out the link.
Do you think the students were right in attacking him?

I wish we knew ...

On the second page this article mentioned playing a video game through the eyes of a person in Haiti. Whenever the topic of immigration arises, in my opinion, people can be so quick to judge. I always envisioned America as a melting pot of many different people, speaking many languages, and living by their own traditions and cultures, yet in today's world, my vision is not reality. We live in a country where many problems other countries face, we will never know, and never have to deal with firsthand (thankfully, but it saddens me that others know such problems all too well). The video game idea is a brilliant idea, but how many people will actually buy it, and want to play it? Or, will it just be considered a joke? It reminds me of the Oregon Trail game, only more serious. I used to play that and only play for fun, and to see a bit of what the trail might be like. The game about Haiti sounds much more harsh and real, but it is still virtual. I wish I could know other people's pains, since I will admit I take for granted how good I have it in the United States. The class so far has made me think a lot about what asylum seekers go through on a daily basis, and has made me re-evaluate my ideas about immigration, and my opinions about life in other countries. Not only do we as students live in a bubble, but we are also shielded sometimes from what other people, just like us, are going through. On that note, this video game is a good step in the right direction for awareness, and hopefully such ideas will continue and create a positive effect.

A New European Guestworker Program?

Someone once said, "there is nothing more permanent than a temporary guest worker". The EU is now examining a a proposal for an African guest-worker program that would promote "circular migration", see the Christian Science Monitor article link. Would it work in Europe? Would it work in the U.S.? Germany had the infamous "Gastarbeiter" program which brought in many Turkish "guest workers" in the 1960s -- many of whom never left.
The United States also had a "guest worker" program called the Bracero program which brought in millions of Mexicans to fill the labor gap in the 1940s. The program ended in the 1960s. Many of the Bracero Mexicans also never returned to Mexico.
A U.S. guest worker program is currently being promoted by the Bush administration. Do you think it will work?

Waiver for a sylum seekers

Thankfully, the Bush administration has finally realized that its policies associated with the REAL ID act and asylum seekers -- specifically the issue of "providing material support to terrorists" were inhumane. It trapped asylum seekers who were coerced into providing material support to terrorists as well as others who were actually fighting repressive regimes.
There is still a lot of concern among human rights activists over the logistics of the waiver, when it will be implemented, who will qualify etc., but right now, it certainly is a step in the right direction.

So Who's a Terrorist Now?

The Washington Post article above uncovers the problems with the implementation of the REAL ID Act and the Patriot Act on U.S. Immigration law.
Individuals who were raped and gave water or shelter to their rapists who might also have been rebel child soldiers have been denied asylum under the REAL ID act for providing material support to "terrorists". Colombian asylum seekers have been particularly hard hit by the REAL ID act. Some individuals who have paid ransoms to rebel groups who have kidnapped loved ones are disqualified from asylum on the basis that they too provided "material support for terrorists". Hasn't this gone a little too far?

Pro Se Representation in Immigration court

The attached Washington Post article explores the problem of asylum seekers and immigrants who have to appear in front of an immigration judge pro se -without legal representation. In the immigration courts, unlike the criminal courts, asylum seekers or undocumented aliens are not privy to a court-appointed lawyer. Consequently, many who do not have the money for a lawyer or who are not picked up by a big law firm on a pro bono basis, find themselves in an adversarial hearing in front of an immigration judge and I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) lawyer.
One of the things that our course Human Rights-Human Wrongs does is provide help to asylum seekers who do not have legal representation. We cannot provide legal counsel to them or represent them in court, but we can help provide all the supporting documentation. We also work with a local not-for-profit organization, PIRC (Pennsylvania Immigrant Resource Center) which does provide legal representation for detained asylum seekers in York County Prison.

Everyone can make a difference -- if they just try...

A great story about a Canadian boy who heard about the lack of safe water in Africa and elsewhere, and decided to do something about it. He was only 6 years old. He subsequently raised $1.5 million, which helped build 255 wells which served 427,000 people in 12 countries.
His website is: www.ryanswell.ca
Happy New Year!

Rwandan Priest Sentenced to 15 Years for Allowing Deaths of Tutsi in Church

Some of the most gruesome attacks took place in churches and missions! I found this article really surprising and it reminded me of the movie we watched in class - in particular, the scene in the church. If you're still reading blogs, check this out.