Refugee Program Stayed After Feds Confirm Fraud

Refugee program stayed after feds confirm fraud

Shelbyville Times-Gazette
Sunday, November 16, 2008
By Brian Mosely

A fact sheet released this week from the U.S. State Department reported widespread fraud in the refugee program that has brought tens of thousands of people from Somalia and other African nations to the United States.

The reported fraud spurred the State Department to suspend a humanitarian program in August which was supposed to reunite African “anchor” refugees already in the states with their family members who are still overseas.

DNA testing conducted earlier this year by the government to verify blood ties between anchor refugees and their supposed family members revealed that fewer than 20 percent of those checked could confirm their biological relationships, the fact sheet stated.

The suspension impacts the Priority Three (P-3) Program of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which grants access to those claiming to be “a parent, spouse, or minor child by certain legal residents in the United States.”

Priority One (P-1) and Priority Two (P-2) refugees are admitted into the program based upon their vulnerability in their native country, through a referral from the United Nations. The P-1 and P-2 statuses of the program have not been suspended.

An applicant for refugee status must establish that he or she has suffered persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, creed or origin.

“In recent years, applications to the P-3 program have been overwhelmingly African — primarily Somalis, Ethiopians and Liberians — accounting for some 95 percent of the P-3 applications,” the fact sheet from the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration stated.

When asked about the fraud described, Catalina Nieto, director of advocacy and educational programs for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said that the State Department fact sheet is “a very general report and it is referring to all refugees, not particular to Shelbyville.”

The rights group is made up of a coalition of immigrants, refugees and their American-based supporters who work to “improve the rights and the public's perception of Tennessee's rapidly growing foreign-born population.”

“We are talking about folks who are eager to reunite with their families and are eager to bring their friends and families to a safe and peaceful place,” Nieto said.

Shelbyville has seen an influx of Somali refugees within the past few years, and there has been no reported evidence that any fraud has been perpetrated by local refugees. The suspension, however, may impact local refugees who are hoping to be reunited with family members here.

“The U.S. Government has a fair share of the responsibility to help resettle refugees from war torn areas,” Nieto said. “We don't want government bureaucracy to be a significant obstacle for reuniting families.”

Fraud uncovered

The DNA tests were conducted after both the Departments of State and Homeland Security jointly decided to test a sample of refugee cases due to reported fraud in the P-3 program, particularly in Kenya, the fact sheet explained.

The rate of fraud varied among nationalities and from country to country, “and is difficult to establish definitively as many individuals refused to submit DNA samples,” the State Department said.

Samples of some 500 refugees, who were under consideration for U.S. resettlement through the P-3 program, were initially tested in Nairobi, Kenya.

But after the sample “suggested high rates of fraud,” testing was expanded to Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Guinea, Gambia and Cote d'Ivoire, the State Department said.

“Most of the approximately 3,000 refugees tested are from Somalia, Ethiopia and Liberia,” the fact sheet said. The initial DNA testing “was limited to members of families applying for the P-3 program, and not between the applicants and the anchor relative in the United States,” the State Department explained.

Family reunification processing and resettlement in Kenya and Ethiopia was halted in March, the State Department said, and the suspension was expanded in May to include the countries where the second round of DNA testing was done. The State Department also stopped accepting applications for the P-3 program on Oct. 22.

“The Departments of State and Homeland Security, along with our resettlement agency partners, are currently discussing how to handle applications that were submitted earlier this year,” the fact sheet said.

Impact on refugees

Holly Johnson, State Refugee Coordinator for the Tennessee Office for Refugees said Friday that to her knowledge, the suspension “has not had a significant impact on the local program.”

“It will impact refugees nationwide who have submitted a non-fraudulent application for a parent, spouse, or minor child because they will be separated from their family indefinitely,” she said.

Johnson said all resettlement agencies “are under strict guidelines regarding the reporting of suspected fraud in refugee families, and we are no different.”

“I take it very seriously,” Johnson told the Times-Gazette. “Of the hundreds of resettlement cases that I have handled in the ten years that I have worked in the local resettlement program, there were only two cases (in the state) where I suspected the possibility of fraud.”

Those cases were reported immediately to their national organization, Catholic Charities, Johnson said, and then were passed on to the State Department and/or the Department of Homeland Security. She added they were not notified of the outcome of these reports because of confidentiality guidelines.

Johnson said that Catholic Charities' focus “is on resettling refugees that the U.S. State Department selects and sends to Middle Tennessee.”

“Our goal is to have them living independently within six months of arrival,” she said. “The many refugees that have resettled here over the last 40 years have a solid track record of getting on their feet and joining the community very quickly.”

Johnson also noted that while those who work with refugees understand the deplorable living conditions that would inspire one to attempt to flee by any means possible, “we strongly believe that the established guidelines must be followed in order to preserve the integrity of the U.S. refugee program.”

“In no way do we excuse or condone the falsification of these applications, and are saddened by the fact that honest people are suffering because of the dishonesty of others,” Johnson said.

Tyson comments

Gary Michelson, director of media relations for Tyson Foods, which employs nearly all of the Somali refugees that live in Shelbyville, said that Tyson has “zero tolerance for employing people who are not authorized to work in the U.S. That's why we use all available tools provided by the U.S. government to verify the documents of the people we hire.”

“We check the employment documents of all new team members when they are first hired,” Michelson said.

New hires are required to fill out a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form and are required to present documents that prove identity and employment eligibility.

Since 1998, Tyson has also voluntarily participated in the U.S. government's Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program, which is now known as E-Verify, an internet-based system operated by the DHS in partnership with the Social Security Administration.

Tyson also uses the Social Security Number Verification System (SSNVS), an on-line service offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which allows registered users (employers and certain third-party submitters) to verify the names and Social Security numbers of employees against SSA records, Michelson said.

“If we learn one of our workers may not have proper authorization to work in this country, we take immediate measures. If they are unable to correct any discrepancies in their documentation, then they are released from employment,” Michelson said.

Verifying claims

New methods of verifying family relationship claims are now being developed with the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department said, which may include voluntary DNA testing. The P-3 program in Africa will remain suspended until new measures are finalized and implemented.

However, exactly what measures will be taken against the thousands of refugees who have come into the country through the P-3 program in the last 20 years will be a question for the Department of Homeland Security to answer, the fact sheet said.

Since October 1, 2003, some 36,000 people have arrived from Africa through the P-3 program, the fact sheet explained, but also only some 400 people have arrived from other parts of the world through the program.

The P-3 program has not been suspended for non-African nationalities, the State Department said, noting that “the number of individuals applying from non-African countries, such as Burma, Cuba, etc., is very small.”

Citizens from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Burundi, Central African Republic, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe are eligible for consideration through the P-3 Program.

Comments
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I agree that the above my describe a “majority” of the Somalian community, however to lump all of them into one group and have disdain for all of them because of the actions of just a few is just as ridiculous as people's claims about the ENTIRE South being close minded, bigoted, etc. Generalizations and stereotypical thinking causes problems to any and all groups associated with it.

— Posted by darrick_04 on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, at 10:03 PM

I can only relate to my experiences with the ones I have come in contact with here in Shelbyville which is better than half of the ones living here. It is not stereotyping it is fact.
— Posted by Dianatn on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, at 6:32 AM

I don't have a problem with immigrants,but I do have a problem with comparing the attitudes of current immigrants with my ancestors. Immigrants did form this nation and encouraged others to immigrate. The difference is in how the early immigrants actually wanted to fit in with each other. From what has been said about the Somalis, they apparently do not want to adjust to American life or we wouldn't be discussing it.

I also have a problem with an American company agreeing to hire them instead of Americans and I cannot believe that no Americans would apply. Wasn't there just recently a picture of Americans lining up to apply?
— Posted by stardust on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, at 5:37 AM

Also, Epublius might be the craziest person I've ever read on the internet (outside of freerepublic.com) or the biggest troll ever.

Pretty funny though. Haha, “short and brutal lives”… That's pretty cute.
— Posted by yes we can on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, at 11:33 PM

I mean, really, I respect the Somalians. It must take a lot to put up with all of the small-minded bigotry in Shelbyville.

Then again, it's probably nothing to them when they consider the horrific on-going civil wars they are used to.
— Posted by yes we can on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, at 11:28 PM

The issues most people have with the Somalis have nothing to do with the color of their skin. Their hygiene habits, their blatant rudeness, disrespect for our laws, no willingness to adapt, the overwhelming sense that we owe them something, health issues..these are the problems with the Somalis. This has nothing to do with the fact they are immigrant refugees, it would be the same problems if they were moving here from Utah.

— Posted by Dianatn on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, at 7:41 PM

The issues that separate Americans from Somalis is civilization. Somalia has third world living conditions, when you toss people who have been accustom to living in filth into a civilized world you are bound to have problems. Put that along with their unwillingness to adapt to our country's culture and laws, then the problem is not only a problem for Somalis but also a problem for Americans. TB and bedbugs was done away with inside the United States for years, now all of a sudden we are having widespread outbreaks of both, Don't you wonder why?

memyselfi,

You are brilliant!!! In 4 comments you summed up history in ways that would take most people weeks!

Love it.
— Posted by darrick_04 on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, at 7:35 AM

Epublius, I really hate to post 4 times in a row, but I forgot to address your first comment. I wonder how we can consider ourselves a European nation. We may have started out as many European colonies and the natives, but the revolution ended that reality and the loyalist went back to Europe leaving us a united nation of colonies with immigrants from all over the world, or that is what I understand from history books. I guess your ancestors were stumbling around with the same half truths and misunderstandings that you display and missed their boat back to your mother land. I won't continue, as I have lost patience with you. You are without a doubt a white separatist, and I assure you that I save any name calling for those truly deserving. I have heard your brand of pseudo-knowledge before and recognize it to be exactly what it is, even at this introductory level. I hope that the good people that frequent this site and comment on both sides of this divisive issue do not succumb to your trash ideology.
— Posted by memyselfi on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, at 6:33 AM

Epublius, I do not know where to start. I guess I will just take them in order. Before I started comparing Neolithic peoples and the dates of their development, I would be very careful to not over simplify history. Actually the beginnings of the Mayan peoples advancing development into agricultural life predate anything in Europe, in some cases by thousands of years in comparison to the north, given that the full development of the Mayans came much later, it would be imposable to argue the existence of their laws and religions upon colonization. I guess it all depends at what point you claim civilization. Certainly to the Greeks, the BaBaBarbarians you are defending were completely uncivilized in the first centuries BCE.

Secondly, your description of the Good Samaritan exposes your complete lack of understanding of the text. Jesus was not involved at all, other than relating the parable. The point of which was to treat your enemies as yourself. I mean, after all, this was a Samaritan they were talking about that was helping the Jew. To extend that, and try to understand Biblical ideology regarding transfer of peoples, we have to look no farther than Jesus, the disciples and the apostle Paul. They were allowed to travel within the empire between principalities, and most likely outside of it to spread the word. They were not confined by their theology or the law from freedom of movement. To further defend the parable, one does not have to look far into Levitical law to find protections for the poor, even of other nations, and there are many instances in the New Testament that support the above interpretation of the Good Samaritan. You may rest assured this is not a conspiracy directed by the communist churches to administer to the poor covertly.

Saint Augustine sold his inheritance and gave it to the poor. His philosophical words have been used and abused for 16 centuries now. Before we put too much stock in any of them to be singled out and advocated, we should look back at the City Of God and how that whole affair played out in history. Perhaps I would have more respect for your cherry picking Augustine if you additionally advocated the ideals of the just war for example, as opposed to the colonization of nations.
— Posted by memyselfi on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, at 3:50 AM

gottago, Aside from all that nonsense I just wrote, how can we even attempt to hide behind any moral sentiments like “civilized” or “degenerates”. These are value judgments that have precious little to do with survival. If we are advocating the survival of the fittest, I think it is pretty clear that the civilized are at a disadvantage to the degenerates in some instances. They are not bound up with the troublesome ideals that have to interfere with their success, limit their actions and trump their desires. That is the correct order of things though. That is, if we seriously believe in natural selection as a social doctrine. The rightful owners of those ships and their cargos are simply the ones who have the power to obtain and retain them at whatever cost. Right?
— Posted by memyselfi on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, at 1:21 AM

gottago, These acts of piracy are indeed despicable any way you look at it. It makes no difference that the people are destitute and desperate, stealing is stealing after all. The way the villagers view these thieves is the most startling part to me though. It would not surprise me at all if they did not eventually develop a rich mythology glorifying these actions in the same manner as has happened to that other degenerate thief of lore firmly rooted in our western consciousness, Robin Hood.

What scares me even more than that, is that with this wealth concentrating into a few hands, those profiting from this thievery may eventually attain the power to start preemptive or proxy wars, install or bribe tyrannical leaders to wrestle the natural resources from innocent civilians elsewhere or even to demand stringent trade agreements under threats of exclusion and economic isolation that undermine the standard of life for workers in far away countries, just so that their children can play for a day or two with a new piece of junk toy that was made at the cost of the production workers health, for less than a livable wage.

Given these uncivilized degenerates actions to date, we cannot expect any other outcome. If only they were more like ourselves, and actually had the ability to civilize, I would be more understanding and accepting.
— Posted by memyselfi on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, at 12:53 AM

If anyone doubt that the Somalians are degenerates looking to capitilize by any means possible, please read the headlines of the last two days. I don't mean the headlines of the local paper, but the of world news documenting the piracy of the Somali pirates. Then continue reading (plainly on yahoo news) about the Somali villagers profitting and turning the 'villages into boomtowns'.

These people have lived without law and civilization for nearly 20 years. We don't need them here.
— Posted by gottago on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, at 8:44 PM

nascarfanatic-

There was no country here when Europeans arrived–there must be a country to immigrate to in order to immigrate. Thats why they were called “colonialists”. What the English found were a scattering of nomadic, stone age people who lived very short and brutal lives. In practical terms, they were about 5,000 to 8,000 years behind the English founders (of which I am descended) in a socio-civilizational sense. In fact, it is now known that there were large cities of some 2500 or more people in Europe 8,000 years ago.

Jesus never told anyone to commit national suicide by inviting the world into their country and destroy their cultural traditions while insisting that the hosts feed them. If you can show me where he advocated such a thing, I will be astonished. And please do not use that old Liberation-Theology ruse and quote (out of context) the “Good Samaritan” story. Don't bother using it because, as anyone knows who has actually read it, Jesus did not ask, nor was he offered, a lifetime in the man's home with free room and board, a car, education and retirement package (not to mention health care). Just the opposite, Jesus was not staying on and was not asked to. He was given short term hospitality and moved on–toward his own home.

Saint Augustine wrote that while charity was a wonderful gift, due to its very nature, however, it must be confined to one's family and neighbors. That it was not right, nor even feasible, to ask people to give to those who were not of their kin and folk–that it would be immoral to do so, in fact.

I suggest all of you do a google search for “Liberation Theology” so you can see just how communists have infiltrated American Churches and what their real intent is when they call for “social justice”.

Then again, the powers now taking control of Washington DC are going to give us a good dose of it.
— Posted by Epublius on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, at 7:58 PM

nascarfanatic,

My Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was, is and will be. Its not my job to tell you what to think. It is obvious though that you do not know why we should bring Somolians here except to give you some liberal angle to aruge about.
— Posted by greasemonkey on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, at 12:27 PM

You really need to get over yourself, and then maybe you could explain what you think are the positive aspects of the Somolians being brought here.

— Posted by greasemonkey on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, at 10:42 AM

As a 'Christian' that is YOUR job… I can be cynical, you however have a Savior that never was. So be like him.
— Posted by nascarfanatic on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, at 12:16 PM

LOL.
— Posted by nascarfanatic on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, at 12:15 PM

Nascarfanatic,

I am sorry if you feel my christianity is fake. I am glad however that you are so in touch with our Lord and Saviour that you seem to know what he thinks, everything in the bible ,and you also seem to know the status of everyones salvation. I just hope someday I can reach your level of enlightenment. This was not about religion, and I am sorry you have such a hatred for christians. You really need to get over yourself, and then maybe you could explain what you think are the positive aspects of the Somolians being brought here.
— Posted by greasemonkey on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, at 10:42 AM

Illegal immigration has been happening since the founding of our country, JUST ASK THE NATIVE AMERICANS ;)
— Posted by nascarfanatic on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, at 10:12 AM

I don't see any comments where religion is brought up in any comment. I don't think everything that happens in the world revolves around religion.

— Posted by Dianatn on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 11:54 PM

It is mentioned, check “Christopher”'s comment… and you do see an awful lot of 'MY COUNTRY' 'TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY'…. etc etc. That attitude in and of itself poignantly describes the despicable generalization leveraged by people who would call themselves Christian. But do tell, What Would Jesus Do? I guarantee you, acting like a whiny bunch of spoiled citizens wouldn't be one of them. God turned two cities into ash because of their inhospitable nature. Yeah. Who's next?
— Posted by nascarfanatic on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, at 10:10 AM

gottago, I do not know if I would call the reality they experienced independence, but it was not my intention to argue pro or con on this issue anyway. To me, this issue is just another small effect of the most effective cause.

I am actually relieved that I did not take a position affirming the immigration, as your last comment would have quickly ended every argument I could ever have possibly mustered. There is no way that I could reasonably defend the assertion that natural selection would not indeed fix the problems of the world, especially in places that are so different than ours, with people that are so unlike ourselves. After all, they apparently have it in their blood to act in that manner, and in stark contrast to us, lack the ability to civilize.

I just did not realize that you were an atheist that embraced social Darwinism as an ideal to live by, and I never would have imagined it. I guess I misread your past comments to indicate that you had the broad general idea that we have all been endowed with some universal moral precepts that dictate our actions and beliefs, some sort of natural law that we have inherited, just by the nature of our humanity. I guess I was wrong. For someone to compare people to animals, with no more value, and no potential for virtue, to discount any degree of empathy, sympathy or compassion, would necessarily go against the grain of that type of thinking. Right?
— Posted by memyselfi on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, at 9:31 AM

I don't see any comments where religion is brought up in any comment. I don't think everything that happens in the world revolves around religion.
— Posted by Dianatn on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 11:54 PM

This is hilarious… Of ALL the complaints you have about the Somalians and the reason YOU don' think they have a right to live here, can you please show me ANYWHERE in YOUR Bible where YOUR Savior exemplified these pathetic comments???

Again, hilarious. I just have to be concerned with this notion of all of you and your FAKE Christianity. Get a freakin grip of your religion, or at least understand that what you are doing represents NOTHING Jesus would have done.
— Posted by nascarfanatic on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 10:34 PM

Refugees in Africa are not America's problem–they are Africa's problem and they should be resettled in Africa–not here, in a European nation.

Furthermore, Africa was a basket case before it was colonized–in fact it was a basket case 5,000 years ago, just do some research and read what the Egyptians thought of it–Somalia in particular.

The truth is, is that Africa and its peoples were better off under colonial rule. They had jobs, roads, schools and hospitals–all of which are crumbling and falling into decay. Even Europe has begun to give up on it. We need to keep whats left of America for Americans.

But, you too can become just like Minneapolis Minnesota if you insist. Here the Somalis commit most of the cities 2500 plus armed muggings each year. Here the Somali children form gangs and destroy schools. Here they fight with African-Americans and everyone else. They murder their own women (and others) for violating “Sharia Law”–the religious laws of Islam.

I know, the above is “hateful” and “Judgmental” by Leftist ideology. But the truth is the truth, whatever it may be. Its time Americans wake up and realize that a thinly veiled communist agenda is what is behind all of this third world immigration into the West. It is designed to destroy us as a people, undermining our culture as well as our ability to say “no” at the voting booth.

We used to call this “common sense”, but apparently using your brain has been outlawed by the powers that be.
— Posted by Epublius on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 10:20 PM

My question to Theo:

If you feel that the living conditions are so bad, then what are you personally doing to try to change them. Will escaping to America change anything for anyone but you and your family?

America could try to help, but everyone degrades our country when we do try to help other countries to help themselves. I am all for going back to isolationism and letting the rest of the world fend for themselves.

If I am going to help someone, then I expect them to show some appreciation That means that you don't bite the hand that feeds you. We weren't asked if we would be willing to accommodate you or others. We were told by our govt that it was what was going to be whether we liked it or not.

In case you haven't been reading about what's happening in my country, there are many of us worried about feeding/clothing ourselves and keeping our homes.
— Posted by stardust on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 9:18 PM

Memyselfi,

I do agree that many of the problems in Africa and the Middle East are a direct result of the colonization by and influence of other powers especially during the interwar period.

But these colonies desired independence and they got it, but unfortunately were ill prepared for self-government. Some blame still lays at their feet for failure to recognize their inadequecies in their ability to govern.

Anyway the fact remains that the civilized world CANNOT continue to import these people. You know sometimes certain groups will never civilize (the refugees' Somalian countrymen are reverting to piracy AS WE SPEAK) and we don't need that 'follower' mentality here. Let them fix their own problems in their own lands or suffer the fate that natural selection has for them. If they adapt and emerge victorious a stronger people they will be.
— Posted by gottago on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 7:37 PM

gottago, While I agree with you that most of the problems you outlined are man made, I apparently see the face of that man a little differently than you. I do not know how you can expect these citizens to control what essentially amounts to several colonies being provided weapons and support from much larger competitors, like our government, to gain control of geo-politically valuable land. These people are pawns, and their wars are proxy. That has been a reality for decades. To make the analogy that they should risk their lives to fix what they have broken represents the same mentality that holds the very children of our schools responsible for their condition.
— Posted by memyselfi on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 6:13 PM

Theo,

tell that to the people in line at the unemployment office who cant get a job because Tysons has imported somolians in here. I am truly sorry these people have had a hard life, but we cant take care of the whole world, especially at the cost of american jobs, health and lives. Do you know what our unemployed have to feel like right now, to know that jobs are going to people that shouldnt behere in the first place? Go tell it to them, go tell them they are ignorant bigots.
— Posted by greasemonkey on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 5:47 PM

Theo,

Do we really want people living here who have known only life in a refugee camp?

You said yourself it was a life that presented images of rape,violence, and mass killings. They know little to nothing about peace and coexistence. While they cognatively want a better life without such evil, these evils are still deeply rooted in the psyche.

For all the areas of the world that are war-torn, disease-ridden, poverty stricken, and famine destroyed few of these are results of naturally occuring catastrophes. The rest were created, or at least facilitated, by human error. Why are these people not risking life and limb to fix what they as a people have broken?

They know no sense of self-efficacy having been rescued by an aid agency, brought to a foreign country, given jobs, and taught how to live. None of this they did of their own volition, just taking from a government that wants to exploit cheap labor.

This country can't keep absorbing the world's problem populations. Neither can other civilzed nations.
— Posted by gottago on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 4:38 PM

Theo it is suicidal that Christians should sponsor Muslims. LOOK at the treatment of Christians in Islamic countries.

Interfaith dialogue only benefits Islam.

http://islaminaction08.blogspot.com/2008…

This is what you stand up for?

Somalia 7/28/08 A Christian convert was shot to death with a AK-47 by two Muslim men. The reason….all because he would not face Mecca when praying. When his wife heard the news of her husbands murder she went into premature labour and gave birth to a stillborn baby.(1) The Somali constitution discourages the promotion and propagation of any religion other than Islam.

http://islaminaction08.blogspot.com/2008…

Ali the majority of the people are sick of mass immigration.
— Posted by Christopher on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 2:07 PM

Yea, lets get to know them as they come here and take our jobs, drive down wages or live off of welfare. On top of that they then try to impose Islam on us. Let the Somalians stay in Somalia.

It is time to end all Muslim immgration.

For more on the issue.

http://islaminaction08.blogspot.com/2008…

Those that are judging are actually standing up for life as we know. Which is more then I can say for some people here.
— Posted by Christopher on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 2:00 PM

No I will tell you what is sickening, it is sickening when Americans are losing their jobs and refugees still have theirs.
— Posted by Dianatn on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 11:43 AM

Comments here are sickening. Many refugees have been living in camps for 15+ years, unable to return home due to violence, living in deplorable conditions, having witnessed rapes, murders, and mass killings. The majority have lost a family member. The first DNA test (of only 500 mind you) didn't even test the applicant to the anchor relative back in the US, but rather to members of families applying together. In other cultures you have to remember that many people will call neighbors/aunts/uncles, etc. brother/father/mother/sister. That, and refugees who are granted an interview face enormous pressure from their community to include other non-relatives in their application. You'd probably do the same thing if you'd been trapped in a refugee camp for more than a decade. It is shameful that you can't empathize with those less fortunate than you. Instead you are intentionally widening the destructive gap between the wealthy and the poor. You are blaming this population for “overcrowding, urban sprawl, pollution, environmental damage, crime, diminishing resources, Diseases, etc. etc. etc.” Do you honestly think that you as an individual haven't also contributed to this regression??? How many of you who are anti-immigrant have ever befriended a refugee? Contact the Catholic Charities in your area and sponsor a family. Get to know them. Listen to their stories. Perhaps they will be the ones to change your ignorance.
— Posted by theo on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 8:49 AM

Sorry M Ali . . . I know for a FACT that several Somalians are starting to move to public housing and already live there which “our” tax dollars do go to and support along with any assistance they receive such as food stamps and such.

Of course, there are many who dont live in public housing which I know from first hand experience when Somalis took over Davis Estates and made it a horrible place to live. I have yet to have one good experience with Somalis and I have had many to judge from.
— Posted by jaxspike on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 8:32 AM

Stolen25 . . . pretty much every comment you make is negative. Who are you to judge?

It is a valid news article considering the Somali population we have here and what has gone on in the past few years here with immigration and such. If you want to bury your head in the sand and ignore concerns people have then go ahead . . . ignorance is bliss I guess.
— Posted by jaxspike on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 8:24 AM

jtjustice30, I hope your comments stay up. Mine of such a tone get removed.

You are not alone in your feelings, not at all.
— Posted by BobM on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 10:38 PM

Ali, I have to vehemently disagree with most of your statements.

I took the time to speak with 2 staff members of the Board of Health in Lyons County, Ks.

BOTH of them stated very, very clearly that most of the Somali's that were there had NOT been through any kind of health inspection upon their arrival into the USA.

WHY NOT you may ask as I did only to be informed that those who were brand new to the USA simply didnt go to their appointed health screening locations, they just simply boarded transportation to the Tyson facility that had hired them.

To proclaim that all were vetted upon their arrival here only shows a lack of direct knowledge of the facts.
— Posted by BobM on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 10:28 PM

Isn't it just ironic how one article can be titled “County schools improving” when in fact, more schools are NOW on the Target list (NCLB) in this county than the previous year….

Yet with this topic, in which the author seems to be infatuated with, reads “Refugee Programs stayed after feds confirm fraud”….

Is it just me or does the Title of both articles prove the intent of our newspaper staff? How absolutely absurd to allow one journalists to continue to cover the same issue with such bias that it almost begs the question of who's side is he trying to tell? As is noted, it is obvious Brian, that you don't like anyone different than yourself. The vast majority of Somalians do go through extensive background checks (given the climax of security) and fraud exists in every branch of government. Why do you feel it necessary to title your News pieces with a positive, the proceed to totally contradict its meaning with a negative?
— Posted by stolen25 on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 10:09 PM

I have to wonder if 20% (if that is the number) of our own states “families” would survive completely intact after the careful scrutiny of DNA testing? Maybe, but I am guessing the exact numbers would surprise us all. That does not even take into account the fact that we are not a war torn African nation. It sounds to me as though it could have as much to do with human nature as it does fraud.
— Posted by memyselfi on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 8:36 PM

Is it really any surprise that fraud was discovered in relation to this mass exodus? I still do not understand why our government insists on allowing mass populations from other countries across our borders to soak up our resources! They take our jobs, our housing, and our local resourses (specifically head start classes and welfare). Then, while they are here, they don't bother to follow our laws and basically become a nuisance. Further, why would our government grant assylum to a people who MURDERED our U.S. servicemen…special forces no less! They killed our sons, brothers, and husbands, and then proceeded to drag their lifeless corpses through the streets of Mogadishu!!! We should treat them as hostile combatants and BAR THEM FROM OUR NATION, not reward them for their savage behavior! I'm sure someone is going to say I'm just a narrow-minded biggot, and so what if they do. Life is too short to be “politically correct.” We as a nation have to get through to Washington and RETAKE OUR COUNTRY!!!! Before it's too late.
— Posted by jtjustice30 on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 7:03 PM

Both President elect Obama and Senator McCain have promised BLANKET AMNESTY in the coming year. This is what we can expect in our families future?

OVERPOPULATION, congestion, urban sprawl, pollution, environmental damage, crime, diminishing resources, Diseases, lack of affordable housing, depressed wages, underground economic, fraudulent documents, identity theft, tax evasion, soaring crime rate, increased tax burdens, overcrowded schools, uneducated children, overcrowded prisons, inadequate health care, the balkanization of our communities and a large and growing population with loyalty to other Nations. Unknowingly you are supporting the 37 million of illegal immigrant poor, who slipped across our intentionally undermanned border. An additional half-million are coming every year.

Americans who are losing jobs to cheap immigrant labor. In a 1996 study, a Rice University economist estimated that illegal aliens were then displacing 730,000 American workers a year.

Read about www.judicialwatch.org winning court cases against parasite employers, illegal immigrant groups and corrupt politicians.

www.numbersusa.com is your HQ, to find our ugly facts not lies
— Posted by Brittanicus on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 6:16 PM

Now that this has been brought to light, Americans MUST insist that the fraudulent occupants be returned immediately before we have another problem (if it is not already) as big as the illegal Mexicans. I have no problem with anyone who has entered this country legally and who abides by our laws, but this latest “scam” just goes to show the lack of respect and contempt these people have for Americans and the American way. Our country is soon to be in dire straits, and the added burden of all these illegal aliens will drain our economy even more. The homeless man featured in the paper last week will soon have an entire caravan to accompany him if we don't put a stop to this illegal infiltration immedidately.
— Posted by writeattitude on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 4:39 PM

If you need the job I do then apply for it and pass the drug screening test.

— Posted by M Ali on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 1:50 PM

The Jobs managed to get done before you got here and I am quite sure they will be done long after you are gone also.
— Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 2:19 PM

Except quantumcat,you people need to seek treatment. You are sick. Your rude and hate words dont represent the majority of American people. None of you pays my rent or my medical insurance. I do my own grocery,so tell me how Iam a problem to you? Most Somalis are same like me. They do work and pay their bills. If you need the job I do then apply for it and pass the drug screening test.
— Posted by M Ali on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 1:50 PM

quantumcat needs his meds!

Maybe we should go back to the ice age for DNA huh?

I'm sure DNA matters for those ancient anchor babies? How dumb can

one be?

Think quantumcat would allow Somali immigrants

to stay in his home? Fat chance!
— Posted by PortTobacco on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 12:20 PM

why the h**l dont they fix thier own dump countries instead of leeching off us.everyone one hates the white he is the devil but they dont mind us working hard to raise thier children on welfare do they or over crowding and destroying what we have built.To h**l with them all and the goverment that brings no excuse me forces them on us.
— Posted by eyesonbedford on Mon, Nov 17, 2008, at 11:32 AM

But would they do DNA tests to give Tsalgi -descended applicants first dibs over the Anglo-Saxons?

That would make sense if jobs are doled out according to who your kin are and how long you've been in the country.

If your clan's “anchor baby” was born prior to the last Ice Age,your ancestors crossed at Beringia rather than Ellis Island and you see *these* guys http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co…

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co…

as your Founding Fathers…

then you might qualify for “first come,first served.”

After the Kiowa,Choctaw,etc. offspring get good employment,we can try the French,Dutch,Welsh,and all the rest of our progeny.

If we're going to get picky about “furriners”,we might as well make it retroactive.
— Posted by quantumcat on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 11:42 PM

The Health Department of Emporia,Kansas said that ALL of the Somalians at the Tyson Plant were TB positive. Some were active TB, some were inactive. The Somali man who died at the plant, in fact, died of TB. As soon as it happened the word was that he died because he was kicked by the livestock. These people did not have health screening before they came to the states. The local people had lots of problems with them. Many problems.
— Posted by MaryR on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 11:17 PM

What the heck is the State Dept.–which is full of Communists and sympathizers of rogue states– getting involved in the Immigration business? I say PURGE the Commies out of the State Dept!

I agree with Port Tobacco–we don't NEED anymore immigrants, legal OR illegal! There are 2 million illegal India workers here whose h-1B visas expired but there NO enforcement of that program for visa overstayers! We have 30 to 50 million illegal Mexicans and Central Americans and Chinese. We don NEED anymore “immigrants”!! What we need is the laws enforced, attrition thru enforcement and stepped up ICE raids across the country, particularly in the heavily invaded states like CA, AZ, TX and FL.

I come to this issue with “a different perspective”. That being the anchor baby situation which is creating CHAIN MIGRATION of illegals, mostly across the Southern Border. Illegal alien men bring down American wages and some are gang bangers bent on committing crimes here against Americans. But there are millions of Mexican women who have broken in to the U.S. to crop their anchors (babies) making it more difficult for them to be deported. If all illegals were men, I believe the situation would be manageable. But with women and children, ICE has and is treating them with kid gloves out of fear of lawsuits, etc.

Instead of a “no tolerance” policy on illegals, ICE has wussied out on deporting illegal alien women and due to a misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment, refuses to deport anchor children. This MUST change!
— Posted by levbotb on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 11:08 PM

For God's sake!

Why don't we have a 5 year moratorium on immigration

anyway?

I am sick of the hoards of foreigners entering our

bloated country!

I just hope this fraud by foreigners suspends this forever!

Why can't other countries take these people in?

We have taken enough people in!

Enough!
— Posted by PortTobacco on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 9:05 PM

Mr Ali none of us are trying to insult you. We are just trying very hard to understand our government, which in case you haven't noticed, is quite difficult. No one blames you directly for being inside the United States it is the ones who come here with fraudulent intent we have a problem with. The article above states plainly, of the refugees checked about 20 percent can not confirm any biological relationships. In case you didn't know but that's 20 out of every 100, and does seem to be more than just “less than a dozen.” I am sorry your wife will be unable to join you for a while but you must understand America is going through some major problems right now and we need to stop anyone that does not have America's best interest at heart.(not saying your wife does by any means but it is oblivious that some are coming into the United States under false pretense) If that means stopping everyone from coming into the states then so be it.

Also I am not trying to be rude to you but you sure do write English well to be Somali. Do you mind if I ask how long you have been in the United States?
— Posted by Dianatn on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 7:35 PM

So Guys its the Somali insult day. Say what ever you can. We Somalis immigrate to US legally,it is almost impossible for a Somali to immigrate to US without a lenghy background check,health screens,axhausting interviews by the Department of Homeland Security,fingerprints,and many other processes. We always appreciate the Americans for welcoming us to their country,and we want to be part of the American society.We work hard,we pay taxes,we contribute to the community.We ran from a civil-war,we suffered enough,we witnessed horror and we would never immigrate if we had peace back home. Almost everyone in America is a decendant of an immigrant family. So guys dont give us a hard time,since we already had enough hard time.
— Posted by M Ali on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 5:45 PM

Once again the issue of Somali TB (tuberculosis) isnt even mentioned.

It is a fact that one 20 year old male Somali virtually died on the production floor of a Tyson facility in Kansas. He reported to the facility nurse sick and was transported to a local hospital where he was DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

This is per the Board of Health of Lyon County, Kansas, the county Emporia is in.

According to statements made to me by such staff members, the Somali's side step the health screening that is supposed to be mandatory by simply getting directly transported to the Tyson facility they will be working at.

All the checks and balances are no good as long as they are avoided.
— Posted by BobM on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 2:25 PM

The suspension affected me. I am a legal Somali immigrant,I applied for my wife to join me through P-3,and due to the suspension,Iam not expecting my wife to join me anytime soon.The whole matter is being capitalised. Somalis come here as legal immigrants,only few cases can be proved to be fraudelent. If counted,there will be no more than a dozen fraudelent cases.
— Posted by M Ali on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 1:18 PM

Why does this not surprise me? of course I still have a problem with employers being responsible for hiring them if they are not in the country legally.

Checking a Somalis Social Security number is a joke. They come into the country as refugees with no documentation, nothing, no ID, no nothing. Most don't even have a clue when their birthday is..our government issues them a Social Security card based on the fact they are refugees and they are who they say they are. Social Security fraud comes mostly from the Hispanic Population because they are not given a Social Security Number upon entry especially if they are not here legally. I can cross check Social Security IDs all day long of the Somalis and they will come back as who they say they are because the fraud was done when they entered the USA. But that still don't tell me if they are here under fraud or not.

So when Tyson checks the SSNVS it is a total waste of time. The verification should have started when they entered the US, not afterwards.
— Posted by Dianatn on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 10:55 AM

Brian,

Thank you for bringing this to the forefront on illegal immigration. We at American Patrol website have had this as continuing stories for along time. With different reports just like yours. I have submitted this one to our website. Tyson foods are responsible for every one of these Somali refugees being in our county. And when they fire them they are supposed too return them back too there homeland. But that is not happening. And we the taxpayers of Bedford County pick up the tab. Our county is turning too A United Nations experiment. And we are the victims. ABP JS
— Posted by american patrol minuteman on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 8:11 AM

Award-winning Times-Gazette journalist Brian Mosley has once again done an important investigative piece with both local and national implications vis a vis Somalis refugees in Shelbyville and major locations in the US such as Nashville, Columbus, Ohio and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Upwards of 80,000 Somalis refugees have been brought to the US, under a State department administered program authorized under the Refugee Act of 1980. The matter of possible immigration fraud is far broader than the abuses cited in the suspension of the P-3 (family reunification) program of the State Department legal humanitarian program for African refugees. For example there have prior studies about abuses of the minority Bantu designation by Somali immigrants under this federal program virtually controlled by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The Bantus in Somali were a ethnic minority in virtual slavery to the dominant Muslim tribal groups in the war-torn country. Perhaps that might be an additional area of investigation by Mosley in his continuing stories on this problem roiling African refugees seeking aslyum in the US under this billion dollar legal humanitarian refugee program administered by the State department, US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement, state social service departments units for refugee resettlement and contracting volunteer agencies (“VOLAGS”) like Catholic Charities cited in the Mosley article. Again, bravo to Mosley and the editors for this ground breaking article in the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.
— Posted by chinesegordon on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 7:22 AM

a fradulent p-3 surely won't self-report to the t-g.does an employer report the refugee employment status to ins when they terminate a fraudulant p-3?if not,why not?if so,how many have been reported in bedford county and middle tennessee?
— Posted by grandpat on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 6:57 AM

Thank you Tyson for bringing such attention to our small town. With all the plant closures in the area, maybe you can hire some Americans to work in your plants. You will not have to check immigration to hire them.
— Posted by Chef Boy R.D. on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 6:48 AM

Refugee Program Stayed After Feds Confirm Fraud

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Refugee Program Stayed After Feds Confirm Fraud

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