Somali-Born Dutch Lawmaker Welcome In US (Ali can enter US even if stripped of Dutch citizenship)

Reuters ^ | 05/18/06 | Uncredited

[mojito]

A Somali-born lawmaker who may lose her Dutch citizenship because she lied on her asylum application is welcome to move to the United States, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick said on Thursday.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, an outspoken critic of Islam, said earlier this week she was resigning and leaving the Netherlands after Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk, a member of her own VVD liberal party, told her she might lose her Dutch passport.

Hirsi Ali has been offered a job by the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative Washington-based think tank, and according to media reports had been in negotiations with two other U.S. institutes.

Zoellick, on a visit to the Netherlands, told journalists Hirsi Ali would be admitted to his country.

"The government of the Netherlands is still discussing her ultimate status and that is ... for the Netherlands to determine along the way, but she is obviously welcome to the United States," Zoellick said.

He added that if she did move to the United States her status would depend on decisions taken by the Dutch government and that her special security needs would be attended to.

"I am not going to comment on specific security matters but obviously she needs to be taken care of," Zoellick said.

Hirsi Ali has drawn death threats for her fight for the rights of Muslim women.

She went into hiding in 2004 when an Islamic militant killed Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh after he directed a film Hirsi Ali wrote accusing Islam of suppressing women.

Hirsi Ali returned to parliament a few months later but has continued to live under heavy guard.

Her party colleague Verdonk has come under attack for her move to strip Hirsi Ali of her citizenship and on Wednesday Verdonk reluctantly accepted a demand by parliament to reconsider her decision within six weeks and also look at any new request for citizenship immediately.

Hirsi Ali admitted using a false name and date of birth when she arrived in 1992 to stop her family finding her after she fled an arranged marriage with a cousin in Canada.

However, she said that had been public knowledge when the VVD chose her as a candidate in 2002 and that she would appeal.

[Unam Sanctam]

I suppose she could make an asylum claim here -- credible fear of persecution back in the Netherlands given the Theo Van Gogh murder and the death threats. Of course if she lied on her asylum application...

[nuconvert]

Good!

[seppel]

good that the Dutchies are being consistent. I guess they stumbled on this beacuse they are probably checking all the immigrants for such fraud. the days of getting by immigration officials by lying are basically over.

she had received amnesty in Kenia, so the only reason she came to holland was economical and cultural. i guess you have a better shot of making a living as a black women in holland than in Kenia. Kinda makes a joke of all the MultiCulti babble from liberals and anti-Western spouting from African leaders (Mbeki and Mugabe).

[BallyBill]

She is surely welcome here. We may be seeing more refugees from these emerging Muslim countries in Europe.

[satan]

With Jorge as President anybody can enter - anytime.

[Antoninus]

good that the Dutchies are being consistent. I guess they stumbled on this beacuse they are probably checking all the immigrants for such fraud. the days of getting by immigration officials by lying are basically over.

Consistency has nothing to do with it. It's all about fear. The Dutch are scared silly of their growing Islamic minority and this woman and her decidedly "anti-tolerant" truth-telling was a profound embarrassment for them. This is just another way-station on Holland's track to dhimmitude.

That said, welcome to America, Ayaan!

[Tribune7]

Anybody think Clinton/Gore/Kerry would have supported her?

[johnqueuepublic]

Ali was outed as a result of a may 11 documentary.

My questions is exactly what has Ayan Hirsi Ali done for Holland since she arrived in 1992?

Her party, the VVD is just about in shambles over this affair.

Theo van Gogh is dead, remember that Ali wrote the script for Submission.

And now she is coming to the U.S. to work with the American Enterprise Inst??

I am trying to figure out what this all means aside from her promoting herself.

[AmishDude]

They "stumbled" on nothing. This was political retribution on behalf of the Muzzies. Nothing more, nothing less.

[AmishDude]

You're blaming her for Theo van Gogh's murder? That's sick.

[McGavin999]

This woman of great courage is most certainly welcome here. This is the kind of woman who has helped to make America great.

[johnnieD]

You're kidding right? Or off your meds!

[fso301]

My questions is exactly what has Ayan Hirsi Ali done for Holland since she arrived in 1992?

Evidently, not enough.

Theo van Gogh is dead, remember that Ali wrote the script for Submission.

Something is seriously wrong with you if you actually believe she is responsible for some mohammed worshippers killing van Gogh.

And now she is coming to the U.S. to work with the American Enterprise Inst??

What's wrong with that? I'll start paying more attention to the AEI.

I am trying to figure out what this all means aside from her promoting herself.

What it means is that Holland is unfortunately on the path to Dhimmitude.

[nwrep]

Please post her picture (FR rule for stories about women)