While looking up some figures for another post, I came across an intriging statistic in my almanac (the 2001 New York Times Almanac). In a table of immigrants to the United States in 1998 the totals were broken down by nation of origin and reason for immigration. Under the category of “refugees and asylees” alongside the expected numbers from Cuba, Vietnam, Russia, and Iran were nine immigrants from the United Kingdom and six from Canada.
Who were these fifteen people who came to America to escape the political oppression of London and Ottawa? I can understand there are people who oppose the governments of these countries, but if I was a radical seperatist from Quebec or Scotland, I’d flee to some country other than the United States. Isn’t Colin Powell a little embarassed when his British or Canadian counterparts ask him why he’s harboring refugees from their countries?
I don’t know for the british and canadians, but the US granted polical asylum to a french man, this year. He pleaded he was persecuted by french judiciary system on an issue involving the custody of her daughter (supposedly victim of paedophiles judges), and didn’t receive any protection from the french government.
Perhaps the british and canadian people have obtained asylum on similar grounds?
Or perhaps someone could receive political asylum if he’s prosecuted in his country for his involvment in a forbidden political movement which isn’t illegal in the US. Say, a german is a member of a party which officialy proclaim to be nazi, is prosecuted in Germany since nazi parties are forbidden, and seek asylium in the US where they aren’t. Or perhaps a member of some cult pleading he’s prosecuted in his country on the basis of his religious beliefs. I know, these are caricatural examples, but they’re the first ones which came to my mind. I suppose you understand my point.
Those immigrants may not be native Canadians or Brits. Some refugees are able to enter the U.S. via other countries, e.g., Turkish refugees arriving here from Germany. They may then show on the records as being German refugees.
It might not be “political oppression” they’re escaping. Under the US asylum laws the persecution need not be at the hands of the government. If your life or health are in danger because your race, religion etc. are subjecting you to persecution by private citizens, you can still qualify.
Also, don’t forget that the UK includes Northern Ireland, several natives of which have sought asylum in the US based on governmental and/or nongovernmental persecution.
I’m not sure xcheopis’s answer is correct. The INS policy specifically refers to persecution in one’s “home country”, and as a general rule the INS considers the home country to be the country of birth. I will admit I’m not sure if there are asylum exceptions to this policy.
Let us not forget the American who is seeking asylum north of the border, after being prosecuted for (Dopers beware!) posting to a message board criticizing Scientology, and picketing their headquarters. It’s slightly more complicated, but that’s the gist of his side of the story.
But isn’t granting someone political asylum a tacit acknowledgement that their belief they were the subject of oppression is valid? As I said in my OP, I’m not disputing that there are people who oppose the British or Canadian governments (for what may or may not be valid reasons). But does the United States think that the UK or Canada is persecuting people? I’m guessing it’s the position of both nations that the people who claim they’re being persecuted because of their political beliefs are actually being punished because of criminal actions they took in support of those beliefs. Presumedly, the American government feels the British and Canadian judicial systems are unbiased enough to make these determinations. (Although from what clairobscur posted, it may not extend the same benefit of a doubt to the French courts.)
Xcheopis’ surmise might be the correct one. Does anyone have any details on who these people were?
If they’re fleeing political oppression, yes, which is why so few asylees/refugees (the terms are not synonymous in US law) are admitted to the US from “friendly” countries. The point I was trying to make is that that isn’t necessarily what they are fleeing. There is a well-known case going on right now involving a man named Malachy McAllister and his family, who were subject to constant intimidation and violence by loyalist mobs in Northern Ireland and fear the same if they are forced to return to NI. They are claiming that the British government can’t protect them - which is probably true - but not that the British government is going to actively take part in their persecution.
I’m aware of one specific successful case of a British citizen winning asylum in the US - Brian Pearson. The details I have access to are spotty, but it seems to be the same situation with him. He had been released from prison before he went to the US, and feared for his life from NI loyalists, not the British government.
Further to xcheopis’s post, the INS page states that the right to apply for asylum
This is called the “safe third country exception”. It seems to me that granting asylum to, say, a Kurd who arrived via Britain would be tacitly acknowledging the failure of the British government to protect him/her, which would raise the same questions you have regarding granting asylum to a British national.
I believe a group of Canadians is trying to seek asylum in the US because their religious beliefs tell them to punish/hit/beat their wife and kids with sticks. The Canadian authorities frowned on this so they want to go to the freedom loving USA.
I’ll see if I can find a cite this AM. Its fairly recent.
Can’t seem to link to the cached article, but if you enter “corporal punishment asylum canada” into Google, and click on the “Cached” under the Miami Herald article, you’ll do fine.
Here is some of what the article says. Apparently they haven’t yet asked for asylum.
(The Turkish family I was thinking of came over on a German visa but this was 13 years ago and things have changed. Also, I believe they had spent about 2 years in Germany prior to applying for admission to the States.)
