December 1, 2003
Rothman Obtains Freedom for Irish Political Asylum Seeker
U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Releases Malachy McAllister
Washington, DC - Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ9) today obtained the release of Malachy McAllister from the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE) Detention Center in Newark. The release, arranged by the Congressman through the Department of Homeland Security, will allow Mr. McAllister to be with his wife and children pending his appeal for asylum, which is being considered by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Mr. McAllister surrendered himself at the Detention and Removal Office of the BICE in Newark this morning, and Congressman Rothman met Mr. McAllister and his lawyer there to help obtain McAllister's release.
"This is a great victory for Malachy McAllister and his family, and I am proud to have assisted them in stopping this injustice. I am delighted that Malachy will return home to be with his family and will remain free while his asylum appeal is pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit," Rothman said. "Malachy McAllister and his family have already been the victims of violence in Northern Ireland, where loyalist forces fired 26 shots into the McAllister home. If forced to return to Northern Ireland, the McAllister family would most likely be threatened, harassed, and targeted by violence again. We cannot allow this to happen."
Congressman Rothman was attending a meeting in Secaucus, New Jersey this morning when he received word that Mr. McAllister had surrendered to BICE. Rothman immediately left the Secaucus meeting for the BICE Detention and Removal Office in Newark. Rothman spoke directly with former Congressman Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, Department of Homeland Security, which includes BICE, and requested that the Department use its discretion to direct the BICE to release Mr. McAllister from detention while his appeal is being considered by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Mr. McAllister and his attorney publicly praised Congressman Rothman's personal intervention today as the determining factor in achieving Mr. McAllister's freedom.
"I will continue working to ensure that Malachy McAllister remains free while his appeal is pending. I will also continue fighting to make sure that the McAllister family is granted asylum and not forced to return to the dangers from which they fled," Rothman stated. "The McAllister family came to America seeking refuge from persecution and violence they suffered due to their religion. The McAllister family deserves sanctuary in our nation. They pose no threat to our nation and simply want the chance to raise their children safe from harm."
