Colombians criticize Powell comments on special status

By Timothy Pratt (contact)

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003 | 11:21 a.m.

A local association of Colombians planned to protest today against Secretary of State Colin Powell's recent opposition to granting a special immigration status to thousands from that South American country who are fleeing its violence.

Hernando Amaya, vice president of the Colombian Association of Las Vegas, said his group is one of dozens nationwide drawing attention to the issue today.

Human rights groups and nonprofits have been pushing for the status for Colombians in recent months. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., introduced legislation supporting the idea.

Reid said this morning that he believed his legislation is still necessary and will push for it in Congress. It is currently before the judicial committee.

"There are Colombian nationals, many living in Nevada, whose lives would be in serious danger if they were forcibly returned to Colombia, simply because they are advocates for freedom and democracy," Reid said.

Powell's comments against the so-called Temporary Protected Status are a setback to supporters of the status, which would help up to 200,000 Colombians in the country illegally who would be in danger if they returned, Amaya said.

There may be 3,000 Colombians in the Las Vegas Valley, up to half of whom might be eligible for the status, Amaya said.

The temporary status is granted to countries whose citizens are at risk due to natural disasters or civil conflict.

It allows people from such countries to work and live in the U.S. for temporary periods of time, after which their status returns to its former condition.

The violence in Colombia includes two guerrilla armies, one paramilitary army, drug cartels and kidnapping rings, all of which catch thousands of citizens in the crosshairs of a four-decades-old conflict.

Amaya was a radio journalist in Colombia who fled the country two years ago after one of the guerrilla armies threatened his life. His own immigration status changed after he married a U.S. citizen in Las Vegas.

Powell recommended against giving the status to Colombians late last month. The official said that conditions in that country have improved.

Amaya said he wouldn't return to Colombia. He recalled another journalist who fled the country after receiving threats and returned only to receive military intelligence reports indicating her life was again in danger. She was escorted by armed guards to the airport and caught a flight north.

"If I were to go back and work in the media, which is my profession, I'm sure the same thing would happen," Amaya said. "You go to the movies one night and then you wind up on a plane to Miami."