Valley judge hands Iraqis 6-month terms [South Texas]

Corpus Christi Caller-Times/AP ^ | May 6, 2006

[SwinneySwitch]

Men claim to be Christians who are persecuted

BROWNSVILLE - Three Iraqi men who say they are persecuted Christians and are seeking asylum were sentenced Friday to the maximum six months in prison after being caught sneaking into Texas.

Border Patrol agents arrested Ammar Habib Zaya, Aamr Bahnan Boles and Remon Manssor Piuz on April 29 near the Los Indios international bridge near Harlingen, federal court records show.

The men, ranging in age from 20 to 25, pleaded guilty Monday to illegal entry, crossing the border from Mexico.

Defense attorney Humberto Yzaguirre has said the men were interviewed by federal officials and are not suspected of terrorism.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Felix Recio questioned why the men did not go to an American consulate or any international bridge to try to seek asylum before illegally entering the country.

The prison terms will give them time to apply for asylum, Recio said.

[SwinneySwitch]

"U.S. Magistrate Judge Felix Recio questioned why the men did not go to an American consulate or any international bridge to try to seek asylum before illegally entering the country."

This was a lot faster, Judge. Plus they have free room, board and legal assistance while they apply.

[armydawg1]

The should change their last names to Sanchez, Ramos and Diaz for quick release and an offer of amnesty and citizenship.

[SwinneySwitch]

Iraqi Ping!

[P-40]

I thought this *never* happened. /s

[Repub Bub]

PING

[DanielLongo]

Give them some ham sandwiches, some good ole Texas barbecue pork ribs, vocally reject Allah, and have them recite the Lord't prayer from memory. After that.....I'm good.

[CindyDawg]

Supposedly they are Christians. I can understand this. I have never gotten upset about Cubans boating over here and have even gotten upset with them being sent back.

[SouthTexas]

Same here, but I don't think those request are too much.

[CindyDawg]

Well our jails are probably better than how they have been living and hopefully this will give us more time to check them out and for them to plead their case but it isn't right for them to be in jail while others deported back to their countries. Maybe because it is safer for them. I hope so and that it wasn't because of their nationality.

[SouthTexas]

Of course it's for their nationality and that is where the problem is. Not that I don't think they deserve to be there for breaking the law, it's that I think the rest of them should serve time also. And then be deported if they cannot prove cause to be here.

[tubasonum]

These guys are on a fast track, I'm sure. I never could figure out criteria they give asylums sometimes to totally wrong people. I don't imply they are fake refugees or Christians. But here is an example. I am an immigrant. And before I came to the US I used to live in Canada for almost 4 years. Instead of asking for political asylum there as most people I knew did, I studied in college on student visa and paid triple price for education. While studying I applied for a legal residency (not asylum)but was turned down by the immigration (I am a Caucasian male from Europe). After successfully completing my studies (and being one of the top students) I took the job that no Canadian would take. Literally. The job paid $8 CA/hour and employed me for 20 hours a week. And thus, I was sitting at the immigration office to upgrade my visa from an international student to a foreign worker, waiting for my turn because there was an emergency and my appointment was pushed back. The emergency was: a Chinese women with a baby probably 1 week old landed at the airport that morning and was asking for an asylum. I heard the interpreter speaking to the immigration officer as the lady didn't understand a word neither in English nor French (this was Quebec province). In about 20 minutes she received:

+ welfare for herself and her baby
+ medical for both
+ apartment
+ some other perks that I don't remember

and I was sitting there and thinking: here I am, graduated from Canadian college, speaking fluently both French and English, studied for a needed profession on my own dime (don't forget triple tuition fees), paid my MEDICAL INSURANCE (come on!!! nobody pays medical premiums in Canada - I was required to). Juxtaposed with this lady, I lost. Why? Wasn't I good enough? I came from the communist country too. But thanks to the Green Card Lottery, I am here in America, I am a citizen and can't be more proud of it.

I have more ridiculous example but I won't tell it now as my post is already too wordy. Hopefully these Iraqi guys are real refugees and not terrorist. Then I wish them to get the asylum and work hard for the country that saved them from the hell.

[shield]

I doubt these 20-25 yr old Iraqi men are Christians. They may not be terrorist but these guys are lying...

[MHGinTN]

BRILLIANT!

[rusty millet]

Glad you're here.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

suspicious. they should have been able to easily go to a consulte or embassy and request asylum, a legal course of action.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

you can hardly make such a statement. they could theoretically be Christian. still, their decision to illegally cross the border rather than go to an embassy or consulate or some diplomatic center is suspicious.

[mtbopfuyn]

The prison terms will give them time to apply for asylum, Recio said.

Atta & Co should have thought of this. Free room and board for 6 months while they get their plans together. How many of their friends slipped in without being picked up? Huh, Bush?

[CindyDawg]

Only they and God know that. I wonder about the lieing though. Liars would have given Mexican names, wouldn't you think? I was speaking more in general though. You can show up for a better life and get released to appear in court or deported home. These guys come over from another country , claiming they are here for religious freedom and they go to jail.
I do not want them just turned loose to do who knows what in our country until we know for sure they mean us no harm but can you see a double standard?

[SwinneySwitch]

Thanks, maybe you could share your other example with us? This thread isn't very long, tubasonum.

[SwinneySwitch]

Tuba Mirum Lyrics

Latin

Tuba mirum spargens sonum
per sepulchra regionum,
coget omnes ante thronum

Mors stupebit et natura,
cum resurget creatura,
judicanti responsura.

In English

Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth,
Through earth's espulchres it ringeth,
All before the throne it bringeth.

Death is struck and nature quacking,
All creation is awaking,
To its Judge an answer making