Stop the Deportation of Ansar Mahmood!

Homeland Security decision to deport Ansar Mahmood imbued with xenophobia
-Being charitable to a family friend is "aggravated felony".
Vigil planned for this Thursday, July 1 and Saturday, July 3 at 9 p.m. at INS Detention Center in Batavia.

I have a few lingering questions for William Cleary, the northeast Field Director of Homeland Security and author of the recent letter of deportation to Ansar Mahmood. His five-page letter explaining the Department's decision unnecessarily demonizes and dehumanizes Ansar and strikes of xenophobic discrimination.

A final statement from Mr. Cleary to Ansar reads, "By law, your conviction has defined you as an "aggravated felon" and your removal is in the best interests of national security." The term "aggravated felony" sounds really bad doesn't it. And that language is used over and over, seven times, in Mr. Cleary's final letter to Ansar Mahmood.

The term "aggravated felony" was traditionally a legal term specified as: murder, any illicit trafficking in any controlled substance, including any drug trafficking crime, or any illicit trafficking in any firearms or destructive devices, any offense relating to laundering of monetary instruments, or any crime of violence (not including a purely political offense) for which the term of imprisonment imposed is at least 5 years, or any attempt or conspiracy to commit any such act.

The definition of "aggravated felony" entered into immigration law during the 1980's War on Drugs and slowly evolved or devolved to include common, less serious crimes such as fraud, burglary, theft, and others. In 1996, following the first WTC bombings, the definition expanded even more under the Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. And finally with the 9-11 tragedy and the ensuing fearful mood in America, these metastasizing immigration laws were given teeth by law enforcers. #file_8#

By Mr. Cleary using this term "aggravated felony" repetitively, it's as if he is trying to convince not us, but himself -"bad guy, bad guy," that his decision was a right one. Another dramatic phrase used commonly by INS officials to depict these foreigners as more dangerous than they really are is "Harboring Aliens."

Mr. Cleary denies Ansar "deferred action." He defines deferred action as an administrative choice to give a case a lower priority. Ansar apparently cited three cases that had been granted deferred action in other jurisdictions. Mr. Cleary rules those cases not pertinent to Ansar's case, but then backtracks and decides to review those cases anyway and this is where a prejudice against foreigners shows.

Mr. Cleary writes, "I have received over a hundred letters and calls of support on your behalf. But I also note that the majority of these supporters have never met or communicated with you. In fact, when the (Ansar Mahmood Defense Committee) first met with me in October 2003 no one had ever met you or knew you prior to your arrest."

Consider the reality of working a 14-hour day as a Domino's Pizza delivery boy doesn't leave much time for socializing. It appears that deferred action would have been more likely if Ansar had family here. But isn't this the very definition of an immigrant - not knowing anybody and moving to a new land. Mr. Clearly certainly seems biased against the new immigrant.

Later in the letter, Mr. Cleary states that it is the duty of the Executive Branch to "uniformly enforce these well thought out and debated laws." His statements taken all together lack basic common sense.

No I don't think this ever-expanding immigration law has been well thought out, nor do I believe Mr. Cleary's decision is free of discrimination. Mr. Cleary, if it was your family members, knocking on your door asking for shelter, would you turn them away? Is that what it takes to be American?

Stop the Deportation of Ansar - A peaceful candlelight vigil outside the INS Detention Center in Batavia on Thursday, July 1 and Saturday, July 3 at 9 p.m. Contact Rajesh Barnabas - Ansar Mahmood Defense Committee - 585-749-0264.