(Bush) Plan could give loophole to terrorists (as refugees)

[IChing]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON -

Today's foreign terrorists could become tomorrow's U.S. refugees if the Bush administration gets its way.
The intent is to grant refugee status to rebels who have fought repressive governments or advanced U.S. foreign policy objectives, particularly in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.


They would cover any foreigner who has engaged in terrorist activity, said Gonzalo Gallegos, a State Department spokesman.

"This amendment thus provides the executive branch with the authority to admit aliens who have engaged in armed action against oppressive regimes or in furtherance of U.S. foreign policy or both," he said


Among those whom the changes are intended to help are members of Burmese rebel groups such as the Karen National Union and Chin National Front; hill tribes in Vietnam and Laos; the now-defunct, anti-Castro Cuban Alzado insurgency; Ethiopia's Oromo Liberation Front; and southern Sudan's ex-rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

Without the broad language covering all terrorist groups, supporters of the changes fear that former child soldiers, who may have been forced to fight, never would become eligible for admission to the U.S. Nor would medics or nurses who treated terrorists.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070505/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/terrorist_refugees

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

1. Huh? Boy, duck out for a little social time and look what develops.

MKJ

[rodeodance]

2. here we go again folks------the WH wants Flexibility!

The administration wants the authority to waive those restrictions so it has as much flexibility as possible in deciding who can and cannot enter the country.

[rodeodance]

3. NO---sounds good----but it would grant the WH MORE POWER!

[IChing]

4. Blackwater would be very happy

why was this moved to editorial section
did I miss something from AP?

[LiberalFighter]

5. Doesn't bin Laden qualify?

[ellenfl]

6. huh? now we are IMPORTING terrorists?

let's let those iraqis (translators, etc.) who have helped us in this misbegotten war in first, then think about letting 'freedom fighters' in.

one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist. under these rules, ubl could have been admitted prior to 9/11. talk about enabling the enemy!

ellen fl

[DRoseDARs]

7. Well, the Taliban was made up of freedom fighters the US supported against the USSR.

Nope, nothing wrong with this plan. Nosireebob.