On July 2 the 7th U.$. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled that federal courts don't have the jurisdiction to review discretionary decisions of the attorney general. The case overturned a federal judge ruling that Sabri Samirah could return to the United $tates after visiting his sick mother in Jordan.
Samirah, who had lived in the United $tates for 15 years, was waiting for his green card and received permission from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to visit his mother in Jordan. In January Samirah tried to return to the U.$. and the INS revoked his "advance parole" and barred his re-entry on behalf of Attorney General John Ashcroft based on information that he was a "security risk." Samirah appealed the decision and in March U.$. District Judge Michael Moran ruled that he should be allowed to return to his U.$. home, but the decision was put on hold until the government could appeal.
Samirah was an outspoken critic of U.$. support for Israel, Chairman of the Islamic Association for Palestine, and head of the United Muslim Americans Association. The U.$. government has been increasingly targeting politically active Arabs since September 11, 2001. While proclaiming themselves defenders of freedom around the globe (by invading, murdering and plundering), the government is busy revoking supposedly protected civil liberties at home. The Patriot Act greatly expanded the authorities of the government to act without oversight and with this Appeals Court decision the courts are falling into line to support these actions.
Notes: Chicago Tribune, July 3, 2003