Iranians sue US for blocking refugee applications

A group of Iranian refugees have filed a lawsuit against the US after it denied the application of no less than 90 refugee seeking entry into the country.

The Iranians are seeking refugee status in the US through the unique Lautenberg-Specter programme, which is meant to protect vulnerable groups such as religious minorities.

However, the applications of roughly 90 refugees waiting in Austria have been denied as President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a hardline stance against immigrants and refugees.

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In a statement issued by Mariko Hirose, IRAP’s litigation director, who represents the Iranians, “the US government “extended a helping hand to these Iranian … religious minorities only to cruelly whip it away for no discernible reason at all”.

One of the plaintiffs in the case, identified as Jane Doe #5, said in court filings that the blanket denial had “terrible impact” on her family.

“Because we had initially anticipated our stay in Austria to last only three to six months, we have run out of savings and are in dire financial straits,” she said.

The Lautenberg-Specter programme requires a US resident to apply on behalf of the Iranian citizen, who then goes through a screening process.

If they pass, the applicant then travels to Austria to continue the process of gaining refugee status.

 

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