Border News

A Canadian man who helped subdue Richard Reid, the so-called shoe bomber, during a flight in 2001 is now trying to convince immigration officials to allow him to stay in the United States and approve him for a work permit. Kwame James, 25, a professional basketball player, says he should be granted a visa in part because of his heroics. He claims that officials had promised him a work permit during Reid's trial but reneged once Reid pleaded guilty. Immigration spokesmen said they were unaware of any such agreement; they called his case "compelling" but said he doesn't deserve special treatment. James aspires to play basketball in the NBA, but he does not qualify for a visa because he has yet to sign with any team that could sponsor him. James' visitor visa expires at the end of April.

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On March 12, 2002 , a chartered plane flew 103 Pakistani nationals from the United States to Islamabad . The Pakistanis, who were in the country illegally, were repatriated in cooperation with the Pakistani government after they had exhausted all legal avenues of appeal. A Pakistani government official accompanied the group in effort to ensure a smooth return. Within the last year there have 500 Pakistani nationals repatriated with help of the Pakistani government.

The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE) in the Department of Homeland Security worked in cooperation with the Pakistani government, whose priority was to ensure their swift return with dignity and honor. The Pakistani government helped authorize travel documents and arrange logistics for the flight. The Pakistani officials emphasized the importance of intergovernmental cooperation in this effort. Imran Ali, an official at the Embassy of Pakistan, said, “almost all of these individuals wanted to return home as quickly as possible and be reunited with their families.”

This flight is another example in a series of recent removal missions completed with the support of foreign governments, including Cambodia , El Salvador , Guyana , Haiti , Jamaica , Nigeria and the Philippines . “We look forward to continuing to work with governments around the world as we use this agency’s unique enforcement tools, including immigration law, to promote heightened security here in the homeland,” said Michael J. Garcia, Assistant Secretary for BICE).