Posted on 01/30/2005 7:32:28 PM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Several faith-based groups oppose a Republican-sponsored immigration and border security bill that could move quickly through the House with a spending package for the wars in Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites).
The groups say the bill sponsored by House Judiciary Committee (news - web sites) Chairman James Sensenbrenner proposes asylum law changes that would hurt refugees fleeing religious persecution and should be debated in full committee hearings.
But Sensenbrenner, a Wisconsin Republican, says the changes will prevent would-be terrorists from slipping into the country by abusing the asylum system.
The changes are tucked into a bill that seeks to prevent illegal immigrants from getting drivers' licenses and to complete a fence on the California-Mexico border.
"We support effective immigration enforcement and measures to increase our national security," said Gideon Aronoff, vice president of government relations and policy at the New York-based Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. But Sensenbrenner's asylum proposals "would inflict serious hardship on victims of persecution, torture and trauma who rightly look to the U.S. as a beacon of hope," Aronoff said.
Sensenbrenner's proposals were among measures that stalled an intelligence overhaul bill last year. To move the bill, House leaders removed the measures and told Sensenbrenner he could piggyback his measures on the first "must pass" legislation on the House floor this session. That's likely to be the Iraq and Afghanistan wars spending package.
Sensenbrenner's bill would require asylum seekers to prove the central reason for their persecution. It would allow judges more discretion in deciding whether the asylum applicant must provide corroborating evidence. Higher courts could not overturn the judge's decision on providing evidence.
"I think it's important to give judges and the immigration service the tools to be able to handle people who are using the asylum system for illegitimate purpose, in order to protect the asylum system for those who are genuine applicants for asylum," Sensenbrenner said.
His proposals are particularly aimed at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which he said issued a decision that prevents an immigration law judge from considering the credibility of an asylum applicant in deciding whether the claim is legitimate.
"That just flies in the face of American jurisprudence," Sensenbrenner said.
Sensenbrenner regularly cites as examples of asylum abuse the cases of Ramzi Yousef, who masterminded the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and Hesham Mohamed Hadayet, who fatally shot two people at the ticket counter of El Al, Israel's national airlines, in the Los Angeles airport in 2002.
But religious and human rights groups say Sensenbrenner is citing flawed examples. Asylum laws were changed in 1995 and 1996 in response to the first World Trade Center bombing, the groups said.
The Los Angeles airport shooting was a deportation enforcement problem, they said. Hadayet, who was killed by a security guard, had been denied asylum but failed to show up for his deportation hearing. He later became a U.S. resident after his wife won residency through the U.S. visa lottery system.
Richard Parkins, director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, said Sensenbrenner's asylum provisions are based on a false premise that the threat of terrorism is reduced by making asylum benefits less accessible.
"We believe public policy based on fear, false premise or misleading information is something we cannot accept. The Episcopal Church has long spoken out against further reduction of asylum opportunity," Parkins said.
Houston Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (news, bio, voting record), who serves on the Judiciary Committee, said Congress should require a short study of the asylum system.
"What I'm afraid of is that women fleeing persecution, sexual trafficking and children who have been abused ... for slave labor and other political refugees ... will be hurt unfairly," Jackson Lee said.
Other religious groups opposing the asylum changes are the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and World Relief, a program of the National Association of Evangelicals. They are joined by Human Rights First and Amnesty International.
Sensenbrenner's bill had 115 co-sponsors, including one Democrat, as of Monday.
Texas co-sponsors are Republican Reps. Joe Barton of Ennis; Kevin Brady, The Woodlands; Michael Burgess, Flower Mound; Louie Gohmert, Tyler; Lamar Smith, San Antonio; John Carter, Round Rock; John Culberson, Houston; Jeb Hensarling, Dallas; Sam Johnson, Plano; Michael McCaul, Austin; Randy Neugebauer, Lubbock and Pete Sessions, Dallas.
I really hope Tancredo and or Sensenbrenner decide to run for President in 2008... the two of them together would be great, and we could finally get this stupid immigration issue taken care of.
"would inflict serious hardship on victims of persecution, torture and trauma
Jesus never said, support illegal lawbreakers. If He did I must have missed that in bible class. One of the COMMANDMENTS state "Thou shall NOT steal" and these illegals are stealing taxpayers money amongst other things!
Lets just put Hillary in the White House right now and get it over with. Having a person like Tancredo anywhere near a national ticket is a sure way to elect a Democrat in 2008.
In my humble opinion the dims wont win regardless of who runs in either party. They are so off the richter scale no one in their right minds would vote for them.
Where is Tancredo on this Immigration Bill?? These Faith Based Organizations must realize that we WILL NOT COMPROMISE on the Immigration Problem or the Borders.
Compromise is the poison that has gotten us to this point of weakness in our Immigration and Foreign Policies. My Grandfather escaped the press gangs from Prussia and Germany when he came to this country.
I understand what they are saying. If do not stand firm on these immigration and border protection policies, there will be no place for anyone to escape to!! America and the freedom she once offered to millions is being attacked from without and from WITHIN!! Make no mistake, they mean to destroy this Constitutional Republic. If any one thiks otherwise, sorry but you better wake up!!
I'm sure you liberal pro-illegals will try your best to scapegoat Tancredo when the time comes. But you can place the blame solidly on yourselves if the Dems ever win again.
I still think this will be a major issue for 2008. The (R)'s better get their ducks in a row if they want to hang on to power.
"We support effective immigration enforcement and measures to increase our national security," said Gideon Aronoff, vice president of government relations and policy at the New York-based Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. But Sensenbrenner's asylum proposals "would inflict serious hardship on victims of persecution, torture and trauma who rightly look to the U.S. as a beacon of hope," Aronoff said.
Now we need to see Aronoff go over to Israel and tell them to "Tear down that Wall". What kind of reception would he get over there?
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3687_32004_ENG_HTM.htm?menu=menu32003
We can't afford to wait until 2008. They're coming into the country at a rate of 2 - 3 million a year.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.