[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Paladin2000: All I asked is to treat people with a little more dignity. I guess after 9/11, US customs/immigration department seems to think that all illegal immigrants/asylum seekers are somewhat potential terrorists It is a sad sad thing as most terrosists would have entered the country using other more subtle means like student visas and etc. I seriously doubt that any terrosist would risk exposing himself or herself by disguising as illegal immigrants since the authority would have done a thorough background check before granting passage to any illegal immigrants or asylum seekers. On the other hand, a potential terrorist with a valid student visa (which is not very hard to obtain) is an easier way to enter the countries without stirring up too much trouble, don't you think so?

"After 9/11, US Customs/Immigration seems to think that all illegal immigrants/asylum seekers are potential terrorists."

Yeah...I'd say that sounds about right. You have foreign immigrants seeking to enter this country without proper documentation and without going through the proper channels. Since they are already "breaking the rules"...I think it is fair to at least consider the fact they might have other motives in mind besides settling down and living happily ever after in the U.S.

Ahhhh yes, most of the 9/11 were here on student visas. True. And many of those visas were expired. So they should have been sent back before the 9/11 attacks occurred. However, since you point out that there is DIRECT correlation between student visas and 9/11 terrorists...then I assume you would have no problem with U.S. Customs/Immigrations considering all foreigners entering on valid student visas to be potential terrorists.

Forgive my sarcasm, but the fact is that U.S. Customs and other branches of law enforcement are faced with an astronomical task of trying to determine WHO might be a terrorist BEFORE they strike another target. Everybody seems to agree that at least some measures should be taken to identify potential terrorist, yet all I ever see on these forums (with a few, notably rare exceptions) is universal criticism of any steps they do take.

Yes, some innocents WILL be caught in the "net" being spread in the name of Homeland Defense. Since the terrorists aren't cooperative enough to wear T-Shirts saying "Make a BIG BANG for Bin Laden", authorities have to look for other activities that seem odd or unusual...whether that be carrying an almanac to visit a historic site (something that the large majority of tourists DON'T do...therefore making it unusual enough to make not of when someone does) or thoroughly checking out the claims of a woman claiming to be a Buddhist nun from China. NO, Buddhist nuns are NOT known for being violent, but some of the Middle Eastern women ARE known to do suicide bombs...so the fact that she is a female claiming to be a nun does not grant her a free pass.

It is unfortunate that she has to stay in jail until her claim is completely verified and the appeal is either won or lost (or not granted). But Timber already pointed out why we can't just release her on her own recognizance until the appeal comes up for trial. Even if she is placed with a host family, who is to say that the host family won't be sympathetic to her plight and help her disappear before the appeal hearing.

I do understand that her current situation is very frightening for her, but I am willing to bet that it is less frightening than the prospect of being returned to China. So - as bad as her current situation may be - it is still better than the alternative....AND it is NOT permanent (although it probably seems that way to her).

Since a judge HAS granted her request for asylum, I would like to see her have more visitations from the interpreter or others that she has befriended so that her situation could be explained to her. It may not be very pleasant, but if the process was explained to her and she understood why she was still being detained, perhaps the situation would be less frightening overall.

I do sympathize with her plight (I'm not an ogre, after all - just a barbarian ). But I also sympathize with the enormous task authorities are faced with every single day - trying to determine which aliens (out of THOUSANDS) represent a true and legitimate threat to the citizens of the U.S.A.

[ 02-02-2004, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: Cerek the Barbaric ]