Prosecution of Miami Asylum Seekers Challenged

Published Sunday, August 3, 2003

Prosecution of Miami Asylum Seekers Challenged

By CATHERINE WILSON
The Associated Press

MIAMI -- Yvon Bleus told an airport inspector that he flew from Haiti to Miami on an altered U.S. passport "to save his life." Prosecutors say he tried to pass himself off as a New Yorker and indicted him, along with dozens of other recent arrivals seeking political asylum.

Immigrant advocates say federal prosecutors in Miami have extended a national crackdown on illegal immigrants to people with legitimate asylum claims by prosecuting them for arriving on false papers. A coalition of 58 refugee, human rights and religious groups wrote Attorney General John Ashcroft and Homeland Security Secretary Thomas Ridge in late July arguing the practice contradicts federal law.

Marcos Jimenez, the U.S. attorney for South Florida, defended his office's decision to target people who ask for asylum only after they are caught with fake travel papers.

"We're not going to tolerate people who are sneaking into our country," said Jimenez, whose district stretches 220 miles from Key West to Fort Pierce. "At other airports, the problem has been solved. We've got a sieve at our airport." (snip/...)

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030803/NEWS/308030432/1004

"We're not going to tolerate people who are sneaking into our country," said Jimenez, whose district stretches 220 miles from Key West to Fort Pierce. "At other airports, the problem has been solved. We've got a sieve at our airport."

Jeezzuuuusss! These people are nuts!

53 Cubans were SMUGGLED to Key Largo (at $10,000 per head) just last week. ALL were granted immigration parole within 24 hours. The Cuban Adjustment Act entitles even illegal entering Cubans instant work visa, instant green card status, instant Sec 8 housing, and much more.

The US puts out the Welcome mat for Cubans only, including those illegally entering and NO MATTER WHAT THEIR CRIMINAL RECORD MIGHT BE.