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Girls' ordeal should never be repeated

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  • Girls' ordeal should never be repeated

    Las Vegas Sun, NV
    Jan 31 2005


    Editorial: Girls' ordeal should never be repeated


    The injustice was apparent the moment Emma and Mariam Sarkisian were
    taken from their family in Las Vegas and placed in a federal holding
    cell in Los Angeles. Emma, 18, is a recent graduate of Palo Verde
    High School and Miriam, 17, is still a student there. Immigration
    authorities learned last July that the two had no legal status to be
    in this country. After receiving word that Armenia, the girls'
    country of birth, would accept them, officials on Jan. 14 abruptly
    took them to Los Angeles and prepared to deport them.

    We were among many people and organizations calling upon the federal
    government to use discretion in this case. The girls were brought to
    this country by their father when they were 4 and 3. This is the only
    country they've ever known. Immigration law is not so strict that
    discretion cannot be used when warranted. As we saw it, how in the
    name of justice could two girls be torn from their American home and
    dropped, penniless, into a country whose customs and language are
    alien to them, and where they have no family, friends or jobs
    awaiting?

    Twice the girls were minutes away from being boarded onto a flight,
    and only fortuitous circumstances -- including one day when the plane
    was full -- prevented their departure. With publicity and appeals
    from the public growing, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.,
    intervened on the girls' behalf. He called Homeland Security Director
    Tom Ridge, whose department oversees immigration services. After two
    weeks in custody, the girls were released and they rejoined their
    family on Friday. Their case is still under review, but it's likely
    now that they will be able to remain here and eventually gain
    citizenship. "In the end, common sense and good people -- they
    prevail in America," said the girls' overjoyed father.

    This is a quote that should be posted in block letters in all
    immigration offices. Occasionally a case will come along such as this
    one, where strict enforcement of the law would result in an obvious
    injustice. There should be a review procedure for such cases, so that
    justice doesn't hinge on the timing of a well-placed phone call.
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