Two tales of political asylum

Today I will discuss two tales of political asylum.  But first a definition of what political asylum is and who can apply for it.  This comes from immigration.lawyers.com:

"Political asylum is available to people already in the United States who fear returning to their home country due to actual persecution or have a well-founded fear of actual persecution because of: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion."

So now that you know the definition, lets discuss the cases of two women that are seeking political asylum.  One women is from a country in Africa, the other is from Nicaragua.  The African came to America, asked for political asylum and when denied in 2004, stayed in America even living in public housing.  The Nicaraguan fled her country last year after being beaten by sticks, shot at, and nearly raped and murdered.  The Africans relatives are actually in government back in Africa, her tribe is the ruling party.  The Nicaraguan is pretty much doing this all on her own(although if enough people find out about this she'll probably have a good lawyer), the other has one of the top immigration lawyers representing her.  Both should be open and shut cases: one is an obvious political asylee, the other not.  The Nicaraguan was denied political asylum status, the African had her deportation reversed and can now stay for a year until it all gets cleared up!  So what is the difference?  The African is Obama's aunt!  Now I'm not going to suggest that our President had anything to do with the fact his aunt is doing an end around on immigration laws.  I'll not even suggest that the fact that a woman who is living in public housing suddenly has a great team of lawyers is suspect.  I'll let you come to your own conclusions.  

Let me give you a little background on our Nicaraguan.  Her name is Auxiliadora Martinez, she's 23, and worked as a campaign manager for Eduardo Montealegre the former constitutional party candidate for mayor in Managua.  Because of this she(and her family) was put on a "torture list" by the Sandanistas.   She found out about this but did not flee, instead she fought harder for freedom.  She was beaten with sticks, had mortars launched at her house, and even shot at.  After the sham elections in November she was protesting the results.  On her way back to her friends house she noticed some CPC(Daniel Ortega's Citizens Power Council) talking about her.  They had pictures of her so they knew she was an "enemy".  She overheard one say "Let's kill her". After running they grabbed her and were going to rape and kill her.  She managed to get away when one reached for a walkie-talkie.  She came to the U.S. in December and filled for political asylum.  The day came to meet with an immigration official.  She had one hour to state her case.  She brought pictures, videos, buttons and anything she could think of to prove that she worked with the opposition party to the Sandanistas.  She was told that she did not show enough proof that she was part of the demonstration, or that she was almost raped or killed.  She was given only 16 days to file an appeal.  If ever there was a case of political asylum this is it!  I only hope that someone in the immigration office has a little common sense and see that this woman needs to stay in the U.S.!  If you'd like to help please contact: George Mihalko, director of the Los Angeles Asylum Office at (714) 808-8000 or write to: 1585 South Manchester Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92802  

If Obama's aunt can stay here with little proof that she is in any harm, then surely Ms. Martinez should be able to as well.

Ms. Martinez case:

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=93690

Zeituni Onyango's(Obama's Aunt)case:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/04/judge_allows_ob.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed6

UPDATE: Ms. Martinez was just granted asylum.  Although she was terrified of being deported she is quoted as saying:

"Let me say this clearly: I never wished to abuse the U.S. visa process, and I never once did for a moment. I have never once been to the U.S. illegally," and also "I thank you for making this country the last best hope. And thank you, America, for taking this stranger into your beautiful home."

The office of immigration in Los Angeles was overwhelmed with calls urging them to grant asylum for Ms. Martinez.