Posted on 01/07/2009 8:19:32 AM PST by fanfan
The first female U.S. Iraq war resister to seek refuge in Canada has been ordered to leave the country before the end of the month or face deportation.
Kimberley Rivera, who served in Iraq in 2006 and fled to Canada in 2007 after refusing redeployment, was told this morning she has until Jan. 27 to return to the U.S., said Michelle Rubidoux of the War Resisters Support Campaign.
"It's ridiculous," said Rubidoux, who accompanied Rivera to her hearing at the Greater Toronto Enforcement Centre on Airport Road.
The decision will force Rivera to uproot her family – her husband Mario and their three children, including their newborn daughter, six-week-old Katie – from their Toronto home. In the U.S., she would also face jail, as desertion is considered a felony.
"Coming to Canada began a new chapter filled with opportunities and hope for my family," Rivera said in a statement released before this morning's decision. "I am just glad I get to be a mom again."
Lee Zaslofsky, a spokesperson for the war resisters group, criticized the government's track record of deporting Iraq war resisters.
"During the last election campaign, Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged the Iraq war was 'absolutely an error'," Zaslofsky said in a statement.
"He should support the troops who came to the same conclusion, rather than sending them and their families back to the U.S. to be punished."
Roughly 200 American war resisters are believed to be living in Canada at this time. A handful have been ordered to leave, and await court rulings to determine whether they can appeal the orders.
In July 2008, Robin Long, another soldier who fled the U.S. to avoid fighting in Iraq, was kicked out of Canada and is now serving a 15-month prison term in California.
And to clarify the point, she is a deserter, not draft dodger. She signed up. And has broken her contract.
It’s the best form of socialism?
LOL, they offer a lot of those benefits in prison too.
Thank you for your service.
its great until your needed? moron
Since we have an [almost] equal opportunity military - shoot her.
Since Canada is taking an active roll in Afghanistan, I don't think Canada would be sympathetic to deserters who are running from deployment in Afghanistan.
Does North Korea have a diplomatic presence in Canada? She could ask Chia-Head for asylum.
No, but Cuba does......good idea.
LOL!
I’d say so.
That’s the kind of shirt we wore in the 70’s, remember?
“While I think EVERY deserter should be punished for cowardice, I would like to know why this one person is being sent back, if they all are not.”
I suspect that possibly some of them are here (in Canada) illegally and have not actually filed for refugee status (because they know they will ultimately be rejected). The others probably justn’t haven’t had their cases and/or appeals heard yet. The “smart” money’s probably on the ones who are here illegally without filing for refugee status, because our immigration controls and authorities are just as toothless as yours - or, at least, they’re only good for hassling legitimate travellers and immigrant applicants.
One Rum & Totalitarianism for the lady in the orange jumpsuit, please.
LOL!
She'd be expecting this....
And get this......
Whoops!
In a combat situation, I wouldn’t want such a person to have my back.
So, while I agree with the sentiment, I disagree with the plan.
I make them break rocks for a while at Leavenworth.
awwwwwwww!!!! Too bad for the TWIT!
Bet she runs and tries to hide from the RCMP.
Hidden by her commie budies.
It wouldn’t surprise me, Sandy.
That is why you put them in front. :-)
I make them break rocks for a while at Leavenworth.
Are there any rocks left?
LOL!
any rocks left
We could also walk them to Colorado and let them carry their own back.
My blood pressure went up a notch or two when I heard her
described as such on CFTR the Toronto News Radio station.
Course they're the same station that described the Phelps bunch as "right-wing".
Grrrr...
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