U.S. deserters lose bid for Canada refugee status

[thedrifter]

U.S. deserters lose bid for Canada refugee status

By Randall Palmer and Lynne Olver
Reuters
Thursday, November 15, 2007; 11:56 AM


OTTAWA/TORONTO (Reuters) - Two Americans who deserted the U.S. Army to protest against the war in Iraq lost their bid for refugee status in Canada on Thursday.

The Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear an appeal from the two men, Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey, over decisions by immigration authorities -- backed in two subsequent court rulings -- that they were not refugees in need of protection.

Opposing the war on the belief that it was illegal and immoral, they deserted when they learned their units would be deployed to Iraq, and came to Canada.

If deported to the United States, they say they face a court martial and up to five years in prison.

During the Vietnam War, Canada was a haven for tens of thousands of draft dodgers and deserters. Hinzman and Hughey, however, did not face forced conscription but were volunteers.

It could still take months before they can be sent to the United States, said Lee Zaslofsky of the War Resisters Support Campaign.

"They won't be deported tomorrow; there is a process," said Zaslofsky, himself a Vietnam War deserter. He said the government will ask if the two men want to do a "pre-removal risk assessment," which can take months.

The War Resisters Support Campaign, aware of some 55 deserters who have come to Canada since 2004, said they would now press for a political way to let the deserters stay, since legal avenues seem to have been exhausted.

Two opposition parties, the Bloc Quebecois and New Democratic Party, as well as a "good number" of Liberal members of Parliament, support the introduction of a special provision in Parliament that would let deserters stay, said Michelle Robidoux of the War Resisters.

"It's up to (politicians) if they want to give resisters access to Canada, as they did during the Vietnam War," Robidoux said in her group's small Toronto office.

Meanwhile, one stratagem of other resisters appeared to be to use the legal system to enable them to stay longer in Canada.

One deserter who still hopes to stay is Kimberly Rivera, 25, from Mesquite, Texas. She came to Canada in February with her husband and two small children while on a two-week army leave, after spending three months on security duty in Iraq.

Despite the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the Hinzman and Hughey appeals, Rivera said she plans to continue filing court appeals in her own case.

"I'm sure it's going to be denied but at least it gives us more time here," she said.

(Editing by Rob Wilson)


Thumbs Up

Ellie

[jetdawgg]

They should thank Watada for his dealings with the gov't on this issue.

Throw the book at 'em

[003XXMarineDAD]

They broke a contract to serve and should be punished. To bad they thought all that college money was for free.There was a price that could possible have to be paid and that is a chance to have to fight a war.

[jrhd97]

They volunteered, Hammer them!

[Zulu 36]

Wait! Wait! I'm starting to feel a little sympathy for those guys!

Never mind, it was just a fart.

[yellowwing]

Up here in Canada the Refugee Board has been very selective. The have recently turned away African applicants who really do have hell on earth waiting for them back there.

Zero tolerance for Oath Breakers who will be punished by a civilized country. These pukes Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey should be grateful they are not facing pumpkin soup and fishheads while in slave labor.

[jetdawgg]

Quitting on America...outta your f@kcing mind......

Deserters = America Quitters

[Eric Hood]

Try North Korea. They might take 'em.

[skaterjon89]

They must have not ever officially sworn in...