The American Spectator

Print Email

Text Size

Special Report

(Page 2 of 2)

Nor is it only Burmese who are affected. Smaller numbers of refugees from Colombia, Cuba, Liberia, Sudan, and Vietnam also have been blocked from resettling in America. In the main, Washington is punishing those who most appreciate its basic values and best advance its international goals.

The State Department could and should more liberally grant waivers. However, bureaucrats are naturally cautious -- make a mistake and keep someone innocent out, nothing happens. Make a mistake and let in a terrorist, and your career will be over.

Thus, the law should be changed: terrorist should really mean terrorist, not pro-American freedom-fighter resisting a tyrannical anti-American government. Pending legislation sponsored by Senators Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) would more carefully define terrorist group and deserves passage.

Despite persistent hardship, Karen refugees long for the day they can live in peace in their own country. But that day may never come, at least in their lifetimes.

Washington may not be able to end tyranny in Burma. But the U.S. can help a few of these desperate peoples escape to freedom.

Doug Bandow is Vice President of Policy for Citizen Outreach. He is author of Foreign Follies: America's New Global Empire (forthcoming from Allegiance Press).

topics:
Law, Military, NATO