Lawyer: Egyptian Student Made An Innocent Mistake

wcco-tv - Bloomington, MN ^ | Aug 15, 2006 10:35 pm US/Central | Lisa Kiava

[Rte66]

(WCCO) Bloomington, Minn. For the first time today, we heard from the Egyptian foreign exchange student arrested in Minneapolis.

Eslam El-Dessouki is one of eleven young men authorities picked up after entering the country on student visas, but never showing up at school.

In a Bloomington, Minn. immigration courtroom, a judge asked the student some very tough questions.

Several times, the Egyptian student was asked, "Why didn't you go to Montana State as required by your student visa?"

El-Dessouki said, "It was the first time out of my country, I just think to visit my uncle... I didn't know if I didn't attend school it would be a crime."

[butternut_squash_bisque]

I've been saying that for the past 3 years, l. How many more Americans have to die before the buttwipes in DC wake-the-hell-up? Grrrrrrr...

[scannell]

SO SORRY about the misunderstanding, but you are in violation of your VISA and thus it is revoked. You can attend the University of Afghanistan if you like however.........

[nopardons]

My "source" is the N.Y. Post.

It said that BEFORE these students were allowed to leave Egypt, they all had to sign lots of papers, at their school, that they WOULD go to all of the classes, NOT try to get a job here, and a bunch of other stuff. When contacted, the Egyptian college said that because the missing 11 had purposefully broken the stuff they swore they would NOT engage in, they were being kicked out of that school and that it was probable that no other college would take them.

Even WITH a college degree, it is extremely difficult to get a job in Egypt, now, so these guys REALLY ruined their lives and their families' lives, with this stunt. And yes, they ARE all being deported and their names put on a list of those who will NEVER again be given a visa here.

Why these kids were high on the FBI's todo list, I do not know. I do know that the college in Montana called the FBi, when the missing 11 didn't show up. There may be more to this story than has been published.

[nopardons]

SPOT ON!

[freedumb2003]

I hope thise serves as a reminder that allowing people to come into the USA is based on OUR needs, not THEIRS.

If nothing else this will serve notice on all students coming in on visas to follow the rules and expect to be watched very carefully.

Don't like it -- don't come here.

[BunnySlippers]

Cheeseburger, cheeseburger ...

[Rte66]

Sorry, but 11 out of 17 is a huge number to just "wander" off or get left in the bathroom, "separately."

[takenoprisoner]

It's so sweet of America to invite and accept muslim (terror) students from around the globe to participate in our schools of higher learning. Even sweeter that American taxpayers foot the bill too. American taxpayers are so sweet.

[Cheburashka]

My short answer is, if you want 100% security be prepared to surrender your personal freedoms. And you'll be disappointed. Anybody who tells you different is blowing smoke.

Me, I want my freedom, and I accept the risk. These 11 doofi are resolved to my satisfaction, for reasons I have explained. I'm sorry if you have a lower risk tolerance. That is a problem in a democracy: people with different risk tolerances, and that cannot be solved.

[Rte66]

Where in the world did you get *that* from what I posted?

[layman]

El-Dessouki hopped a Greyhound from New York to Minneapolis and stayed with his uncle.

I have my doubts that this guy is really his 'uncle'. I hope it is checked out, and if they are lying about it the 'uncle' should be deported along with the 'nephew'.

[singfreedom]

Thanks, leilani, that is indeed good news. And you are correct about the "doom and gloom". I, myself, am quite pleased that terrorism hasn't paid us any further visits. In our incredible open society, the government has done a good job of closing the gaps. We have a lot more to do, yes, but we're making progress.