GARDEN GROVE (CA) -- In his sharpest words yet, Nguyen Huu "Tony" Chanh, Chairman of the Vietnamese National Party here, strongly criticized the Department of Homeland Security for continuing to detain in jail (Lancaster FDC) Vinh Tan Nguyen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a political refugee and a citizen of Vietnam.
"This is unfair and unjust!" exclaimed Nguyen Huu Chanh. "Is this how the United States rewards freedom fighters?' When the communists took over Vietnam in 1975, we knew their deceit and tyranny! We fled to the neighboring jungles and fought their oppression for many years!"
"In those jungles," continued Nguyen Huu Chanh, "Vinh Tan Nguyen was one of my most loyal and devoted deputy commanders -- one of 15 such commanders who helped lead the resistance against the communist slavery of our homeland."
"And now the US government treats Vinh Tan Nguyen as a terrorist threat?" questioned Nguyen Huu Chanh. "It is not fair, it's not right, and the U.S. government needs to consider the consequences of any deportation to Vietnam, especially in light of the U.S. government's unequivocal obligations under the United Nation's Torture Convention."
In a recent affidavit, Vinh Tan Nguyen stated he lawfully entered the US in 1983 pursuant to a grant of refugee status based upon his political opinions and his membership in a group of freedom fighters (led by Nguyen Huu Chanh) who sought democracy for Vietnam. Vinh Tan Nguyen adds that if the DHS seeks to deport him to Vietnam it must first terminate his refugee status. Here, Vinh Tan Nguen asserts that the DHS has not properly terminated his refugee status or needs to take steps to terminate said status. He points out that "an alien who has been granted refugee staus may not be deported or removed unless his or her refugee status is terminated to 8 C.F.R. section 207.9
Vinh Tan Nguyen further points out in his affidavit that Nguyen Huu Chanh also was detained in Korea on similiar trumped up charges by the VCP (Vietnamese Communist Party) who wanted him extradited to Vietnam. Nguyen Huu Chanh was recently acquitted of all accusations that he took part in terrorist plots against Vietnam. (View: www.freechanhnguyen.com )
Vinh Tan Nguyen asserts that if he would be deported to Vietnam, he would certainly face torture to reveal the identities and associations of members of the Vietnamese National Party both inside and outside Vietnam. Furthermore, Vinh Tan Nguyen claims that he would more likely than not face execution due to his alleged ties to terrorism.
Emphasized an indignant Nguyen Huu Chanh: "Look, the U.S. must recognize that Vinh Tan Nguyen faces arrest and torture in Vietnam based upon the so-called terrorist charges. Just look at article 49 of Vietnam's present constitution: anyone who dares criticize the VCP is a terrorist.
Added Nguyen: "It is time for my people to go free! It is time to release from indefinite detention a good man, Vinh Tan Nguyen, who loves both Vietnam and the United States, and who wants to see ideals like democracy and justice take root in Vietnam!"
Is Vinh Tan Nguyen being treated justly? His immigration lawyer, P. Joseph Sandoval, says fair treatement before the Immigration Court remains to be seen. Mr. Sandoval states: "We trust that when the facts are fully set forth, any reasonable immigration judge would concur that Mr. Nguyen will be immediately placed in the Vietnamese government's prison regime upon his involuntary return ... a regime which has evolved into an intimidating, coercive, and abusive environment. A regime which has been known to cause severe physical or mental pain or suffering for the illicit purpose of obtaining information or a confession from former freedom fighters."
Mr. Sandoval, who recently prevailed on a Torture Convention claim for alleged Sicilian Mafiosa Rosario Gambino, further stated: "Our reserach shows that the Vietnamese government engenders psychological and physcial coertion on its detainess in order to obtain from them cooperation in its so-called fight against terrorism. In many cases, this has gone beyond the permissible and tolerable means of pressure. It has included prolonged stress psoition, physical beatings, deprivation of food and light, the use of mind-altering drugs, and water-boarding. It therefore clearly falls within the category of cruel and inhumane and degrading treatment, thus qualifying for the application of the Torture Convention."
Finally, this from Vinh's brother Quang, who recently visited Vinh in jail where he was being held by immigration in Los Angeles: "When I see him (Vinh) walk toward me, I can see he has aged rapidly under the custody of the US Dept. of Homeland Security. I fear his continued custody will be life threatening."
Quang also noted he wanted to give his brother $40 for shoes, but the DHS refused his request. Quang talked with his brother just 15 minutes. His mother who was also present and confined to a wheel chair, was distressed and heartbroken on seeing Vinh's condition and poor health. It should be noted that all Vinh's brothers and sisters are now U.S. citizens, including one who is a retired police officer in San Jose.
Please visit Vinh's organization activities at: www.gfvn.org rfvn.com dantoc.net vnyouth.com vntd.org
More info contact
Dennis Catron (714) 638-9990, cfreedom@gmail.com
D. Joseph Sandoval (attorney) (323) 297-1100, pjs@gsvisa.com
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"This is unfair and unjust!" exclaimed Nguyen Huu Chanh. "Is this how the United States rewards freedom fighters?' When the communists took over Vietnam in 1975, we knew their deceit and tyranny! We fled to the neighboring jungles and fought their oppression for many years!"
"In those jungles," continued Nguyen Huu Chanh, "Vinh Tan Nguyen was one of my most loyal and devoted deputy commanders -- one of 15 such commanders who helped lead the resistance against the communist slavery of our homeland."
"And now the US government treats Vinh Tan Nguyen as a terrorist threat?" questioned Nguyen Huu Chanh. "It is not fair, it's not right, and the U.S. government needs to consider the consequences of any deportation to Vietnam, especially in light of the U.S. government's unequivocal obligations under the United Nation's Torture Convention."
In a recent affidavit, Vinh Tan Nguyen stated he lawfully entered the US in 1983 pursuant to a grant of refugee status based upon his political opinions and his membership in a group of freedom fighters (led by Nguyen Huu Chanh) who sought democracy for Vietnam. Vinh Tan Nguyen adds that if the DHS seeks to deport him to Vietnam it must first terminate his refugee status. Here, Vinh Tan Nguen asserts that the DHS has not properly terminated his refugee status or needs to take steps to terminate said status. He points out that "an alien who has been granted refugee staus may not be deported or removed unless his or her refugee status is terminated to 8 C.F.R. section 207.9
Vinh Tan Nguyen further points out in his affidavit that Nguyen Huu Chanh also was detained in Korea on similiar trumped up charges by the VCP (Vietnamese Communist Party) who wanted him extradited to Vietnam. Nguyen Huu Chanh was recently acquitted of all accusations that he took part in terrorist plots against Vietnam. (View: www.freechanhnguyen.com )
Vinh Tan Nguyen asserts that if he would be deported to Vietnam, he would certainly face torture to reveal the identities and associations of members of the Vietnamese National Party both inside and outside Vietnam. Furthermore, Vinh Tan Nguyen claims that he would more likely than not face execution due to his alleged ties to terrorism.
Emphasized an indignant Nguyen Huu Chanh: "Look, the U.S. must recognize that Vinh Tan Nguyen faces arrest and torture in Vietnam based upon the so-called terrorist charges. Just look at article 49 of Vietnam's present constitution: anyone who dares criticize the VCP is a terrorist.
Added Nguyen: "It is time for my people to go free! It is time to release from indefinite detention a good man, Vinh Tan Nguyen, who loves both Vietnam and the United States, and who wants to see ideals like democracy and justice take root in Vietnam!"
Is Vinh Tan Nguyen being treated justly? His immigration lawyer, P. Joseph Sandoval, says fair treatement before the Immigration Court remains to be seen. Mr. Sandoval states: "We trust that when the facts are fully set forth, any reasonable immigration judge would concur that Mr. Nguyen will be immediately placed in the Vietnamese government's prison regime upon his involuntary return ... a regime which has evolved into an intimidating, coercive, and abusive environment. A regime which has been known to cause severe physical or mental pain or suffering for the illicit purpose of obtaining information or a confession from former freedom fighters."
Mr. Sandoval, who recently prevailed on a Torture Convention claim for alleged Sicilian Mafiosa Rosario Gambino, further stated: "Our reserach shows that the Vietnamese government engenders psychological and physcial coertion on its detainess in order to obtain from them cooperation in its so-called fight against terrorism. In many cases, this has gone beyond the permissible and tolerable means of pressure. It has included prolonged stress psoition, physical beatings, deprivation of food and light, the use of mind-altering drugs, and water-boarding. It therefore clearly falls within the category of cruel and inhumane and degrading treatment, thus qualifying for the application of the Torture Convention."
Finally, this from Vinh's brother Quang, who recently visited Vinh in jail where he was being held by immigration in Los Angeles: "When I see him (Vinh) walk toward me, I can see he has aged rapidly under the custody of the US Dept. of Homeland Security. I fear his continued custody will be life threatening."
Quang also noted he wanted to give his brother $40 for shoes, but the DHS refused his request. Quang talked with his brother just 15 minutes. His mother who was also present and confined to a wheel chair, was distressed and heartbroken on seeing Vinh's condition and poor health. It should be noted that all Vinh's brothers and sisters are now U.S. citizens, including one who is a retired police officer in San Jose.
Please visit Vinh's organization activities at: www.gfvn.org rfvn.com dantoc.net vnyouth.com vntd.org
More info contact
Dennis Catron (714) 638-9990, cfreedom@gmail.com
D. Joseph Sandoval (attorney) (323) 297-1100, pjs@gsvisa.com
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