cannabisnews.com: Drug War Refugee? Drug War Refugee? Posted by CN Staff on September 29, 2003 at 08:23:54 PT By Tom Godfrey -- Toronto Sun Source: Toronto Sun A U.S. fugitive wants to stay in Canada on the grounds that he's a refugee from the war on drugs being waged south of the border. The alleged drug importer is appealing a failed refugee bid by claiming his life will be in danger from violent prison conditions he faces if he is returned to the U.S. The man, who lives in Toronto, fled to Canada from the U.S. after being busted last year for conspiracy to import drugs, according to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). His identity wasn't released by the IRB because he's seeking refugee status and may be in jeopardy if deported. The board, in a decision obtained last week, said the fugitive sought refugee status here due to his political opinion -- which is his opposition to the war on drugs. FEAR OF PERSECUTION The man claimed a well-founded fear of persecution in that he belonged to a particular social group, which he described as persons subject to mandatory minimum sentencing if convicted in the U.S. To top it off, the asylum seeker argued he will face a longer prison sentence in the U.S. because he fled to Canada. The board said U.S. jails may be violent and overcrowded, but there's no evidence the claimant faces death, torture or cruel punishment as he alleges. "A sentence of seven to 14 years ... did not exceed international standards," the board said. "The claimant faced prosecution under a law of general application." The man is now trying to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, the board said. Immigration officials estimate it will cost taxpayers more than $100,000 to hear the case and subsequent appeal. In the meantime, the man is free and eligible for OHIP, welfare and housing. Note: U.S. fugitive appeals order to boot him. Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)Author: Tom Godfrey -- Toronto SunPublished: September 29, 2003 Copyright: 2003 Canoe Limited PartnershipContact: editor sunpub.comWebsite: http://www.torontosun.com/Related Articles & Web Site:The Drug War Refugees http://freedomtoexhale.com/smk.htm U.S. Pot Advocate Seeks Refugee Status in Canada http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15662.shtmlPot Refugee May Be Forced to Leave Canada http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15654.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by kaptinemo on September 30, 2003 at 10:59:18 PT: Oh, they really have gone too far ..."Prepare Inmates to Commit Capitalist Acts: Remake Prisons as "Factories Behind Bars".Isn't that just why they have been incarcerated in the first place? For committing the 'capitalist act' of making a profit?(Rolling eyes heavenward) Given that illicit drugs are readily available in prisons, isn't this just 'gilding the lilly' as far as honing their mercantile skills? Jeez, how effin' stupid can antis get... [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by goneposthole on September 29, 2003 at 10:19:14 PT can't jeopardize a free labor pool Those who feed consumerism must have a steady supply of cheap labor, by golly.Federal Prisons Can Become Factories Behind Bars-- Former DOL Economists from Clinton and Bush Administrations Agree Inmate Work Programs Teach Job Skills, Reduce Crime-- Businesses Can Create Civilian Jobs by Employing InmatesIn conjunction with a bipartisan effort to reform federal prison industries (FPI), two former chief economists at the Department of Labor (DOL) in the Clinton and Bush administrations will address a Capitol Hill briefing tomorrow on the critical importance of inmate work programs and HR 1829, which is currently headed for a floor vote.The briefing is tomorrow, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m., at Rayburn House Office Building - 2226. The economists will offer recommendations to improve work programs that are especially important in light of the issues that will be raised at a Small Business Committee hearing on the federal industries program now scheduled for the next day."Because HR 1829 severely limits the federal work program, it will cause an increase in crime," said Morgan Reynolds, former DOL chief economist during the Bush Administration and currently NCPA Senior Fellow. "It's better called the 2003 Increase in Crime Act." In calling for reform of FPI, Harry Holzer, former DOL chief economist during the Clinton Administration, agreed: "Losing jobs affects the safety of prison staff and the inmates, and frustrates rehabilitation efforts that reduce recidivism."The Enterprise Prison Institute (EPI) and the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA). are briefing sponsors. Knut A. Rostad, president of EPI, will also release a paper at the briefing on how the private sector employment of inmates can spur domestic civilian job growth.Holzer and Reynolds also agree HR 1829 is bad economic policy, because it fails to let businesses operate inmate work programs that can spur American job growth. "In today's global economy, American companies employing inmate workers can compete against some Mexican and Chinese production and bring American jobs home to the civilian workforce. We know this because of the companies partnering with the state prisons today. To prohibit the federal system from partnering with companies to bring jobs home is just wrong-headed," Reynolds added.WHAT: Congressional briefing on HR 1829 -- Make America Safer -- Prepare Inmates to Commit Capitalist Acts: Remake Prisons as "Factories Behind Bars"WHEN: 10 a.m., Sept. 30WHERE: Room 2226, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.WHO:-- Morgan Reynolds, former chief economist - DOL-- Harry Holzer, former chief economist - DOL-- Knut Rostad, president - EPI-- Robert Atkinson, vice president - Progressive Policy Institute (Invited)------The NCPA is an internationally known nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute with offices in Dallas and Washington, D. C. that advocates private solutions to public policy problems. We depend on the contributions of individuals, corporations and foundations that share our mission. The NCPA accepts no government grants.http://www.usnewswire.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Jose Melendez on September 29, 2003 at 09:47:39 PT I thought tags here get read by writers, no? Here's all I can find of what I got published this year.I post links here for authors to research and decide for themselves what to write as follow up. I think it's the right thing to do. That said, I've noticed that newspaper writers are not into refuting false claims if their editors refuse to publish those refutations due to a personal bias that can affect the employment status of said writers...http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n455/a07.html?1220http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n438/a03.html?1220http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n929/a03.html?1220 [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Kegan on September 29, 2003 at 09:27:56 PT Tell the papers http://www.spr.org/en/news/2003/0819.htmlhttp://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/6556858.htmhttp://www.statenews.com/editionssummer97/052197/op_col2.htmlhttp://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/laws/majorlaw/h3355_en.htmhttp://www.spr.org/pdf/Man%20and%20Cronan.pdfhttp://www.spr.org/en/comments.htmlDon't leave tags here. You are preaching to the choir.Write letters to the editors and bury them in facts. They will have to react sooner or later. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Jose Melendez on September 29, 2003 at 09:08:04 PT Liars rarely are exposed so easily: "The board said U.S. jails may be violent and overcrowded, but there's no evidence the claimant faces death, torture or cruel punishment as he alleges. "http://www.spr.org/en/news/2003/0819.htmlhttp://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/6556858.htmhttp://www.statenews.com/editionssummer97/052197/op_col2.htmlhttp://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/laws/majorlaw/h3355_en.htmhttp://www.spr.org/pdf/Man%20and%20Cronan.pdfhttp://www.spr.org/en/comments.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on September 29, 2003 at 09:06:57 PT No evidence? No evidence? What, didn't these guys see "Shawshank Redemption"? "Bad Boys"? Haven't they read any of the myriad reports on prison rape? Why do you suppose HIV rates are like 10 times higher for prisoners then the general population? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Kegan on September 29, 2003 at 08:58:39 PT To The editor To The Editor,In his article of Sept. 29, 2003, regarding refugees from the US drug war, Tom Godfrey neglected to mention that the US led "War On Drugs" has been proven to be an absolute catastrophe. There is no reason to believe that anyone will be treated gently if sent to face prison in the states. Their prisons are over-crowded and violent, and their prohibition laws are draconian. To deny any person asking for refugee status from the US drug war would be allowing their torture and possible death. It is time that we as a country, did all we can to help these unfortunate victims of this insane war on it's own citizens.Russell Barth Ottawa [ Post Comment ] Post Comment