Thursday, November 23, 2006
Here is the text of the petition [click to sign]:
To: Immigration officials involved in the case of Imams Hafiz Masood and Abdul Hannan, and other interested public officials
We, the undersigned, would like to thank you for your efforts in enforcing our nation's immigration laws. We would like to assure you of our continuing support in the face of what must be extreme pressure to drop this matter.
We encourage you to continue to pursue this matter in a fair manner consistent with the vigorous application of the rule of law and without regard to pressure group tactics which will attempt to stifle your efforts.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Here's a brief explanation by way of a recap of the events:
A week ago Wednesday, immigration officials arrested 33 people on immigration fraud charges, including 4 from Massachusetts. Among those four were two prominent Imams, Hafiz Masood of the Islamic Center of New England (ICNE), based in Sharon, MA and Abdul Hannan from the Islamic Society of Greater Lowell in Chelmsford who also serves as chaplain for the Middlesex House of Correction in Billerica and the Cambridge Jail.
The gist of the allegation is that the two were acquiring bogus religious worker visas for people who weren't really religious workers.
The case is similar to one from a couple years back when a guy named
The Imams are now out on bail, but not before much agitation on the part of the Muslim American Society, the ACLU and others, who were encouraging the signing of petitions, the packing of courtrooms, calls to government officials and cries of harassment.
Her post on the petition is here.
Now you've got the background. Given the pressure that our public officials must be under in this case, Miss Kelly and I are sponsoring a petition to support them -- it is something of a counter to the petition that the MAS put up earlier. You can see the text quoted above, and can sign on to it by clicking here.
I would like to emphasize that we are neither judge, jury nor investigators. We do not know the people involved, all of whom may be fine people and pillars of their communities. The fact is, however, that many of us have called for serious immigration enforcement, and have been disappointed with the repeated flouting of those laws, yet when the authorities take action, there are dozens of groups who step forward to make life as difficult as possible for them. We believe that it’s entirely appropriate that citizens also step forward to support the authorities operating on our behalf when the situation calls for it.
I think you will find the text of the petition measured. We are calling for support, while not attempting to dictate any particular outcome.
Again, the petition may be found here.
Update: The Jewish Advocate has written a story about this issue and our petition effort, here: 'Dueling petitions spark debate over immigration'
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It started in late 2006, with the arrest of 33 people nationwide on immigration fraud charges. That 33 included two prominent Massachusetts Imams -- Masood and Hannan. Miss Kelly and I started covering the case back then, including a petition... Read More
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5) Enjoy your stay!
Sooner or later, if we neglect these problems, it will come back and bite us badly
Agree...It will only get worse. We cannot turn a blind eye.
Wake up America this is World War III.
This is a very serious situation that we are facing, and many americans haven't seen as of yet. This immigration fiasco is threatening our freedom, and our safety. Our way of life is at stake here. We have to STOP! allowing these saudis from coming over here on these student visas. None of them are our friends!
australia got it right. They said if you are not willing to become part of our culture, stay the hell out!
Cyrus