U.S. Anti-Terrorism Measures Said to Ensnare Refugees Fleeing Terror

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb 11 (OneWorld) - Terror victims are being denied sanctuary under U.S. counter-terrorism laws even as next year's federal budget threatens to push ever greater numbers to seek safe haven in the first place, refugee advocates said this week.

At issue are the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and REAL ID Act of 2005, measures that expanded the definition of terrorist activity and the types of organization that could be branded as terrorist.

This is resulting in ''a perverse outcome,'' said Joel Charny, vice president for policy at Refugees International: ''Victims of terrorism are being designated terrorist supporters and blocked from receiving sanctuary and a chance to start a new life in the United States.''

Additionally, President George W. Bush has proposed altering foreign aid and refugee spending in ways that will intensify poverty, instability, and other ''push factors'' that drive people from their homes and countries, humanitarian groups said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/oneworld/45361273191139650658